Haryana to hold Cabinet meeting to discuss SYL issue

As Punjab decided to hold a special Assembly session on November 16 on Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, the Haryana government today announced to hold Cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, Haryana's main opposition party INLD stepped up the heat on the BJP-led state government by giving it an ultimatum to get the construction of the canal completed by February 23 next year.

The Cabinet meeting will be held here tomorrow under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, an official spokesperson said.

"The SYL issue will definitely be discussed among other things during the Cabinet meeting," Amit Arya, media advisor to the Haryana Chief Minister, said.
 

The Haryana unit of BJP has also called a meeting of its MLAs tomorrow evening to discuss the issue, sources said.

Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is weighing its options to bring a bill aimed at scrapping all water-sharing pacts during the special session of the state Assembly on November 16.

Meanwhile, INLD accused Congress and BJP of politicising the SYL issue and gave an ultimatum to the government to get the canal completed by February 23.

"If the work does not start, INLD and the people of Haryana will start digging the canal," Leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala said after the party's executive body meeting here.

The central leaderships of Congress and BJP have been only keen to remain in news by just making statements on the SYL issue, he alleged, adding, "They should make it clear if they are with Punjab or Haryana on the issue."

He urged the parties to cut across political lines and put their efforts to get the canal completed in the interest of the state.

"INLD will seek time from President Pranab Mukherjee to meet him in connection with the issue and demand imposition of President's rule in Punjab. The party will also request the completion of the canal," Chautala said.

Political temperatures have risen in Punjab and Haryana after the Supreme Court held as "unconstitutional" the 2004 law passed by Punjab to terminate the SYL canal water sharing agreement with Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh.