Sheila Dikshit urges Haryana to resolve water-sharing discord

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit today has expressed disappointment with authorities in Haryana for not being able to resolve the discord over water sharing, which has become a contentious issue for both governments.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday has expressed disappointment with authorities in Haryana for not being able to resolve the discord over water sharing, which has become a contentious issue for both governments.

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Addressing journalists in the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar, Dikshit said: "We had given about 650 crores (6.5 billion), on the insistence of the Haryana government, to construct a canal, but it is not in a good condition and we are unable to get water. We gave them all the money to buy the land. Now, they are saying that we don't have any share in the canal. They also haven't been supplying any water to us and it is really disappointing. We began this programme in Haryana about eight to nine years ago, because we had to think of the future as Delhi's population is constantly rising."

Dikshit said that she was glad to visit the Golden Temple after such a long time. "The last time I came was during the Commonwealth Games, it's been a long time. Whenever I come here, I get a lot of inner peace and strength. I hope that this feeling is passed on to Delhi as well," she said.

"Since a lot of people come to the Golden Temple from Delhi each year, they used to face problems to get accommodation. So, the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee in Delhi has made efforts to construct about 90 rooms and halls, some of which are air conditioned. I hope now Delhi visitors will have a comfortable stay," she said.

The temple authorities stepped up efforts to make sure that the tourists and other locals were provided all the facilities.