The Supreme Court on Friday (January 5) was informed by both the parties (State of Punjab and State of Haryana) that they needed more time in the case related to the construction of Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal.

The bench comprising of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Navin Sinha granted the request and listed the matter in July.

In September, 2017, the State of Haryana had made clear that it will not initiate talks with the State of Punjab on the controversial Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal issue despite the apex court giving directions to Centre to work out a resolution between the two states.

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister O P Dhankar had said: “There will be no digression from our chosen path of securing implementation of the Supreme Court orders regarding construction of the SYL (Sutlej Yamuna Link) Canal in Punjab, and bringing to Haryana its rightful share in river waters.”

In a bid to cater to the water demand of southern Haryana, Haryana has been seeking more water from Punjab. For nearly 3 decades, the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal issue has become a bone of contention between Haryana and Punjab leading to political and legal battle.

—India Legal Bureau