Hooda offers to join hands with Abhay on SYL issue

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today called upon INLD leader Abhay Chautala to join hands with him for putting pressure on the Centre to construct the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Hooda termed INLD’s announcement to start the digging of SYL canal on February 23, a political gimmick. He said it would serve no purpose except leading to an unnecessary clash between farmers of the two states.

Accusing the INLD of being hand in glove with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), the former CM said had the Chautalas not opposed the Rajiv – Longowal pact, Haryana would have got its share of SYL waters long ago.

“Both the INLD and the SAD (B) are fooling people. The issue is already settled in Haryana’s favour because after the SC’s verdict on Presidential Reference, the Centre is to construct the canal. No legislative or executive order can alter this position now,” said Hooda.

He alleged that the Chautalas had done nothing to safeguard Haryana’s interests on the SYL issue except for protecting business interests of Badals in the state.

Hooda played down the ‘Pravasi Haryana Divas’ being celebrated in Gurugram from today, adding it was for the first time the state government had to give air fare to the NRIs attending the event besides making arrangements for their stay.

“If they cannot even pay their air fare, how can we expect them to make investments in Haryana?” Hooda asked.

He also demanded the government to declare the investments made in the state after the Happening Haryana Investors Summit in March last year. Hooda alleged investments worth Rs 5 crore were made against claims of 6.84 lakh crore.