Context:

The Punjab Government has proposed to divert the waters of Chenab to Punjab, which could then be shared with Haryana, solving SYL dispute permanently.

Key Points:

• Waters will be diverted through Pong Dam, Ranjit Sagar Dam and Bhakhra Dam.
• 23 MAF of Chenab water could be diverted through this, resolving SYL issue forever.
• Under Indian Constitution, Article 262 deals with Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter State rivers or river valleys.
• Water resources are under the State List, while the Parliament has the power to make laws regarding inter-state rivers under the Union List.
• Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal-
  • SYL is an under construction canal which will transfer water from Punjab to Haryana.
  • 1960: Indus Water Treaty was signed, allowing India free and unrestricted use of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.
  • 1966: Haryana state was created and so the problem of giving water share to Haryana. Thus SYL was planned. Punjab refused.
  • 1981: Both states agreed for re-allocation.
  • 1982: Construction of SYL was launched in Kapoori Village of Punjab.
  • 2002: Supreme Court asked Punjab to comply with 1981 pact.
  • 2004: Punjab Assemble passed Punjab Termination of Agreements Acts, terminating its water sharing agreements.
  • 2016: Supreme Court nullifies Punjab’s 2004 law and appoints Union Jal Shakti Minister as mediator

There should be a fresh time-bound assessment of the water availability. The availability of Ravi-Beas water has also come down from the estimated 17.17 MAF in 1981 to 13.38 MAF in 2013. A fresh tribunal would ascertain all this.