With the Assembly witnessing chaotic scenes over SYL matter, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal today urged the political parties to refrain from politicizing the issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal.
Replying to a debate on the Governor's Address in the Assembly, he said while the state is close to achieving its goal, the political parties are "competing with each other" to take credit for the same.
Describing the SYL canal as the lifeline of the state, Khattar said its non-completion was adversely affecting not only Haryana, but the entire country.
He said in the 27th meeting of Northern Zonal Council held on April 25, 2015, he had urged the central government to mention the matter for Presidential Reference before the Supreme Court for an early decision in the matter.
Finally, hearing on the Presidential Reference resumed on February 29, 2016, after more than 11 years and concluded on May 12, 2016.
The judgement in the matter was delivered on November 10, 2016 wherein the Apex Court decided all the points referred to it in the Presidential Reference in 2004, in favour of Haryana.
The CM said Haryana is not able to bring its share of 1.88 MAF water that is 18.8 lakh acre feet, which effectively means that about 2600 cusecs of Haryana's share is being utilized by Punjab and Rajasthan throughout the year.
This water, if supplied to Haryana, would irrigate 10.8 lakh acres at the rate of 2.4 cusecs per 1000 acres. Water table in Southern Haryana is declining sharply due to non availability of this water, he added.
He said with the state not getting its legitimate share of water, the farmers were suffering losses to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees annually which is matter of concern.
He said though the Supreme Court has announced its decision in favour of Haryana, the state is yet to get the water through SYL.
The next hearing on the SYL issue would be held on March 28 or 29, 2017 and it is hoped that Haryana would definitely get the additional water of Ravi-Bias through SYL canal, Khattar hoped.
This would also help the dark zone districts and Southern Haryana, he added. He said Hansi-Butana canal has been constructed to ensure water in the parched areas of Southern Haryana, but as a result of petition filed by the Punjab in Supreme Court against this project; this could not be made operational.
Efforts were being made to get this canal operational at the earliest, he added.
Referring to the INLD's February 23 programme to dig SYL canal in Punjab, Khattar said the state government did not stop INLD workers.
However, he said there was a Supreme Court order mentioning that law and order must be maintained. "In view of this, INLD workers were informed about the order. It was the government's responsibility," he said.
He said the state government gave permission of holding rally to INLD in Ambala.
Khattar said he has requested Union Minister for Water
Resources Uma Bharti through a written communication dated January 6 for the early completion of dams being constructed on Upper Yamuna and its tributaries.
He said that these projects had been lying pending for the last about 30 years. The Central government had released Rs 446.96 crore to Himachal Pradesh government on October 3, 2016 for land acquisition for Renuka Dam projects.
For construction of this dam, the amended estimates of Rs 5,242.89 crore have been submitted to Central Water Commission for technical and economic assessment.
Similarly, Central Government has sanctioned funds for Lakhwar Multipurpose project to Uttrakhand government on April 19, 2016. The tenders have been invited for construction of this project and these would be opened on March 18, 2017.
This matter is pending in the National Green Tribunal and it has been urged to accord approval for start of work on this project after complete inspection of environmental and social impacts. He said that Kishau Corporation is complying on some remarks raised by Union Ministry of Water Resources regarding detailed project report of Kishau project, he said.
The Chief Minister said that government is going to adopt mirco irrigation system with new technique. Under this, emphasis is being laid on construction of pipe based waterways instead on open waterways.
This would not only save the precious water but would also get rid of repeatedly break downs, he said.
Under a pilot project, construction work at a cost of Rs 25 crore in 13 districts is in process and it would be completed by the end of December 2017. After its success, this scheme would be implemented in every block, he added.
