SYL: Solution in the offing?

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 7

The Centre’s statement before the Supreme Court on Thursday about the possibility of a settlement between Punjab and Haryana over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal has kindled hopes of a resolution of the issue that has defied any solution for decades.

As it’s an emotive issue which led to violent incidents in the past, both sides have been taking a hard stand.

But Attorney General KK Venugopal’s statement on Thursday hinting at negotiations at the highest political level has left many wondering if there was an amicable solution in sight.

“There is an atmosphere of optimism.... There is possibility of a settlement. We need more time as PM is out of the country,” Attorney General KK Venugopal told a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, which gave six weeks to the Centre and posted it for hearing on November 8.

The Centre has been involved in bringing both the sides to the negotiating table and talks have been on for at least two months.

Sources privy to the talks told The Tribune that there were differences on certain issues and both the sides needed more time iron them out.

During the last hearing on July 11, the top court was informed by senior counsel AK Ganguly, representing Punjab, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a meeting of the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana in an attempt to arrive at an amicable solution to the SYL issue.

State waters non-negotiable: SAD

Chandigarh: SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday said Punjab’s waters were non-negotiable. He asked Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh not to agree to any settlement with Haryana on the SYL Canal. In a statement here, the SAD president said holding any negotiation on this issue was akin to walking into a trap. “Capt Amarinder should learn from past mistakes, including accompanying then PM Indira Gandhi to inaugurate the digging of the canal. He should now simply declare ‘No SYL – no water’ to Haryana,” said Sukhbir. TNS