Gift SYL canal to state on golden jubilee: Abhay to PM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 27

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leaders today demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should gift Haryana Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal on November 1, the day he kicks off Swarna Jayanti celebrations from Gurugram.

“The SYL Canal is a lifeline for Haryana. Nothing will be a better gift to the state than this on Swarna Jayanti. As the BJP is in alliance with the SAD in Punjab, the Prime Minister can get it done. He must get it done to show that he cares for Haryana,” Abhay Chautala, Leader of Opposition, told the media here.

He said he had received invitation for the November 1 function. “I will attend the function, if it remains restricted to celebrations. If the BJP tries to politicise it, I will not be part of it.”

Abhay alleged the BJP government was a failure. He circulated a brochure and alleged both the fiscal health and the law and order had taken a hit ever since the BJP formed the government. “In 2014-15, the state had Rs 82,305-crore debt. In 2016-17, it likely to jump to Rs 1,41,000 crore. Contrast this with Rs 23,400-crore debt during 1966-2004.”

“Debt is mounting, while crime against women and Dalits is on the rise. But the government is going to waste crores of rupees on the golden jubilee celebrations. It is not taking concrete steps to curb crime,” the INLD leader alleged.

Before coming to power, the BJP had promised lucrative prices of crops to farmers, he said, adding “after forming the government, it forgot its promise. A few crops are covered under the Pardhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana”.

“The government has delayed releasing Rs2,500 crore to farmers on account of land acquisition,” the Leader of Opposition claimed.

He alleged the BJP had failed to improve the state of health, education, industry, power. “All claims have remained on paper,” Abhay added.

Cong to celebrate separately

Chandigarh: The Haryana Congress on Thursday announced separate Swarna Jayanti function. It will celebrate 50 years of the state's formation in Panchkula on November 1, the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicks off year-long celebrations from Gurugram. Congress leaders alleged the name of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had been missing from publicity material pertaining to the celebrations. "Indira Gandhi played a key role in the formation of Haryana. But the BJP government has been playing politics by not using her photo in the publicity material. It's unacceptable and we will convey our resentment to the government," said Sumitra Chouhan, president, Haryana Pradesh Mahila Congress. She alleged the government was biased and it playing politics on the pretext of celebrations. The state Mahila Congress, Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress and Haryana Krishak Samaj would organise the celebrations on November 1, Chouhan said. TNS