Khattar hits out at opposition for 'politicising' SYL issue

Alleging that opposition parties were politicising and complicating the SYL issue, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said the canal cannot be made functional just because "some people have announced that they would start digging it".
The state's main opposition party Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) had said it would start digging the SYL canal on February 23 if the Centre fails to carry out the task.
After the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the state on SYL issue, political parties have been demanding its early completion. However, parties in poll-bound Punjab, including ruling SAD, have vowed that not a drop of water will leave the state.

Khattar's attention was drawn to an earlier decision of the apex court that the SYL canal would be built by a central agency.
"The issue of Presidential Reference had been pending for the last 12 years. It appears that the previous governments in Haryana did nothing to resolve the issue.
"In comparison, the present government, soon after assuming office, pursued the case with the Supreme Court and the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004 was nullified recently. Now the issue is with the Supreme Court," he said, replying to questions on the issue at a press conference here.

Khattar said he had already led a delegation of all political parties to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on the SYL issue.

"A written request was also made to the Prime Minister to seek his appointment for the same...Now, the Supreme Court is to hear the case on January 29 and I hope that it will be in our favour," the Chief Minister said.
He said as Assembly elections have already been announced in Punjab, opposition parties are trying to politicise this issue for their vested interests whereas it is not a political issue.
"The Supreme Court has already given its decision in favour of Haryana. The statements being made by the opposition leaders will make the issue complex," Khattar said.
Referring to INLD's announcement of digging the canal, Khattar said in a democracy, no one should not take law in their own hands.

He said the SYL would not be made functional with 'fawarda and belcha' (digging tools) as such an act would create tension.
"The new government in Punjab would be formed after March 11 and the decision of the Supreme Court could only be implemented by the new government. Therefore, we should wait a little more," he said.
In reply to the construction of three dams of Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar Vyasi, Khattar said he has pressed the Centre for their early completion as they were national projects.
He said the construction of these dams would result in supply of Haryana's share of water and added that at present the state was getting only 4000 to 5000 cusecs of from Yamuna river against its share of about 20,000 cusecs.