Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today moved a resolution in the specially convened Vidhan Sabha Session to direct the Punjab Government, Cabinet and entire Government Officers and Officials neither to hand over any land of the state to any agency for the construction of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal nor allow anyone to work on this project and give any sort of cooperation for this purpose in the larger public interest.The resolution, which was passed by the house unanimously, reads, “Whereas Punjab has Legislative and Exceutive Right over the whole land falling under its boundaries as per the entry number 14 and 18 of the state list of the 7th schedule of the Constitution of India”.Whereas Punjab has also Legislative and Executive Right over water supply, irrigation and canals, drains, pathways, water reservoirs and hydro electricity as one entry no. 56 of the same schedule according to entry no. 17 of the state list of the 7thschedule of the Constitution of India.
Houser takes notice of this fact that Punjab needs 56 MAF of water for agriculture, out of which river waters amount to only 27% of its and that the Central Ground Water Commission had already declared 105 out of 138 blocks as over exploited.Without requisite waters, Punjab which is the grain bowl of India is continuously becoming barren and resultantly posing a threat to national food security and state economy. The House takes a serious view of the fact that Punjab is already falling short of its canal water needs and farmers of Punjab are facing serious water crisis. Keeping in view the larger interests of people of Punjab, the House unanimously directs the Punjab Government, Cabinet and entire Government Officers and Officials neither to hand over any land of the state to any agency for the construction of Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal nor allow anyone to work on this project and give any sort of cooperation for this purpose.