PUNJAB AND THE SUTLEJ- YAMUNA LINK (SYL) DISPUTE:
  CONTROL HOTHEADS-WATER ISSUE CAN BE CALMLY REVISITED
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/judiciary-above-constitution-akalis-to-move-motion-in-ls/322026.html
Forwarded By: Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch
https://www.facebook.com/balbir.singh.355
Control hotheads-Water issue can be calmly revisited
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/control-hotheads/321844.html
A.    The Supreme Court has not gone into the merits of the river water claims; it has only struck down the 2004 Act.
B.    Keeping politics aside, the leadership in both Punjab and Haryana should try fresh adjudication through a mutually acceptable tribunal.
C.     This is necessary because the water availability in the Ravi-Beas rivers has declined over the years and the previous allocation figures have become irrelevant.
D.    Besides, the Punjab claim of Haryana being a non-riparian state needs to be independently and legally tested. A fresh round of adjudication may cool down passions.
Opinion » Editorials
Full Text:
Posted at: Nov 12, 2016, 12:57 AM;  (IST)
1.     Control hotheads-Water issue can be calmly revisited
2.     The Supreme Court advisory to the President holding the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act 2004 as unconstitutional had the expected fallout in both Punjab and Haryana.
3.     Rejecting the Supreme Court ruling that Punjab cannot deny the Ravi-Beas waters to other states, Chief Minister Badal has chosen the path of defiance.
4.     Being a veteran in politics he is aware that there are ways to sort out issues.
5.     While the calling of an Assembly session may be acceptable political posturing, few solutions are available through making or amending laws at the state level.
6.     Holding a public meeting of the faithful on an emotive issue is fraught with danger.
7.     There is a possibility of the Badal loyalists getting charged up and taking his exhortations for “sacrifice” more seriously than he intends. Political leaders need to keep in mind that such situations tend to flare up unless that is precisely the motive.
8.     Haryana too has shown signs of unrestrained exuberance. Chief Minister Khattar is duty bound to rein in khap leaders threatening to cut off Punjab’s road and rail links with Delhi.
9.     Given his poor track record of handling trouble-makers, the Centre cannot afford to remain unconcerned. The BJP is a ruling party in both the states. The Union Government has a responsibility to insist that Punjab and
Haryana maintain peace.
10.    Legal and technical issues involved in the sharing of river waters require an informed, cool-headed debate at an appropriate forum.
11.    These cannot be hammered out through street jurisprudence or political rallies.
12.    There are nationally and internationally accepted principles of settling water disputes.
13.    The Supreme Court has not gone into the merits of the river water claims; it has only struck down the 2004 Act.
14.    Keeping politics aside, the leadership in both Punjab and Haryana should try fresh adjudication through a mutually acceptable tribunal.
15.    This is necessary because the water availability in the Ravi-Beas rivers has declined over the years and the previous allocation figures have become irrelevant.
16.    Besides, the Punjab claim of Haryana being a non-riparian state needs to be independently and legally tested. A fresh round of adjudication may cool down passions.
Forwarded By: Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch
https://www.facebook.com/balbir.singh.355
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/judiciary-above-constitution-akalis-to-move-motion-in-ls/322026.