NEW DELHI—The Supreme Court of India on February 15 rejected the Punjab government’s plea seeking stay on proceedings of the SYL-Canal case. Notably, the Punjab government’s counsel Advocate Ram Jethmalani had sought delay of Court hearing till the declaration of results of Punjab assembly polls.
On February 15, the Supreme Court’s bench headed by Justice Pisaki Ghosh said that the poll results have nothing to do with the case. Ordering the status quo on SYL-Canal issue, the Court asked the Punjab government to submit its reply till February 20 and the next Court hearing has been scheduled for February 22.
It may be recalled here that the Apex Court of India had asked the state governments of Punjab and Haryana in January-2017 to submit their replies on the issue within three weeks.
On behalf of Punjab government, Advocate Ram Jethmalani has prepared the answer to be filed in Supreme Court but keeping in view the unavailability of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal the Court has given relaxation upto February 22.
Notably, Chief Minister Parkash Badal had moved to US on February 5 for medical ailment and he is expected to return to Punjab on February 17.
It is tragic not to follow the internationally recognised laws governing water distribution. Once you start breaking this trend then who is going to stop China from diverting all the water flowing from river Brahmaputra into India.