SYL: Chautala brother files contempt plea

Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala8217;s brother has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the Centre and Punjab government for disregarding court orders for construction of the SYL canal.

The petitioner, Pratap Singh Chautala, said the Supreme Court had twice directed Punjab and the Centre to complete construction of the Punjab portion of the SYL canal facilitating flow of Ravi-Beas water to Haryana. He said last week, the court had dismissed Punjab8217;s review petition making it mandatory for the Centre to go ahead with the canal construction but alleged that no work has started.

Terming this as a clear case of contempt, the petitioner said: 8216;8216;Not only the state of Punjab, but the Union Government was also equally responsible for not implementing the directions given by the SC on January 15, 2002, and June 4, 2004.8217;8217; Referring to the Centre8217;s application as well as the Presidential reference made on the law enacted by Punjab annulling its water agreements, the petitioner said both were exploiting pendency of the two matters and not acting in any manner for construction of the canal.