SYL project: Centre to push for Khattar-Amarinder meet

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 18

The Centre will push for a joint meeting of Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar to resolve the contentious matter concerning the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Khattar told this to the media after having met Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat here today.

A few months ago, Capt Amarinder had assured the ministry to convene a meeting at his end. It has, however, not materialised yet.

Coal-based units allowed to operate

• CM Manohar Lal Khattar urged Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar to allow industries based on coal and other traditional fuel to operate
• These industries are located in areas where LPG, CNG and PNG pipelines have not been laid
• The Environment Ministry acceded to Khattar’s request with regard to industrial units in eight districts of the state

Khattar also met Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar and urged for exemption from the rule which prohibits operation of industries based on coal and other traditional fuel in areas where LPG, CNG and PNG pipelines have not been laid.

The Environment Ministry acceded to Khattar’s request with regard to industrial units in eight districts of the state. Also, permission for smooth running of formaldehyde units in Yamunanagar would be granted by the ministry soon.

With regard to sharing of the Yamuna waters with Delhi, Khattar informed Shekhawat that Haryana was providing the national capital more than its share even though Haryana was facing shortage of water.

The Centre has sanctioned about Rs 1,120 crore for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

Khattar requested that the state should be provided with a financial help of Rs 3,200 crore for its “Mahagram” project, under which sewage pipelines would be laid in 130 villages.