Shah wants SYL canal issue resolved amicably: CM

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 21

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had told both Haryana and Punjab to resolve the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue amicably.

“He told us that either resolve the SYL canal issue amicably or..... He warned us but he did not further clarify on it,” he added. The Chief Minister was interacting with mediapersons at the BJP office here.

“Regarding distribution of water, Amit Shah said that it wouldn’t be possible to resolve the SYL canal issue in such a big meeting and for that a smaller group would be formed, as all parties had been sticking to their stand. All Chief Ministers concerned would be called to the meeting,” he said. Shah asked Punjab to behave like an elder brother, he added.

“Shah also said that Punjab shouldn’t suffer any loss. They should be practical and not emotional about it,” Khattar said.

“When Yamuna water was distributed, it had more flow. Now, if it has less water, Haryana’s share should increase. These issues will reopen in 2025,” he added.

Khattar said, “If the Hansi-Butana line is completed, we will get some water. Rajasthan is also seeking water from the Bhakra main line. If they get water, our share will reduce”.

He said that the SYL canal would resolve a lot of problems of Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Haryana has to give 300 cusecs more water to Delhi, he added.

“We cannot produce water. At present, we are facing 60 per cent shortage,” he said

On distribution of seats to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), he said, “The Akali Dal has cordial relations with the BJP. They supported us in the Lok Sabha elections. The central party leadership will take the decision on distribution of seats”.

On the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Khattar said that it was not a poll issue and the Central government had said that it would be implemented across the country. So, it would be implemented in Haryana also. “Some people give a figure of 40,000 or 50,000 or 1 lakh foreign nationals living in Haryana. The actual estimate will be known when a survey is conducted. The modalities are yet to be decided,” he added.

He said that the Opposition was making the NRC, Article 370 and terrorism in Kashmir election issues and as a result they would suffer losses.

Asked who would be the main rival of the BJP in the elections, Khattar said, “The Opposition is fragmented. None of them has a presence across the state. We have competition with the Congress in Sampla-Kiloi and with the INLD in Ellenabad. Only the BJP is in a strong position in all 90 seats”.

On the case against a Hisar journalist for exposing rotting grains, he said that a committee found that grains were not getting damaged. “If the news is false, action will be taken against the journalist. If the grains were rotting, action would be taken against guilty officials,” he added.

He praised the Central government efforts to revive the economy and said similar measures would be announced in their manifesto.