Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said that no dispute remains between his state and the neighbouring Punjab over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal after the Supreme Court verdict over the issue.
“Punjab had enacted a law in 2004 cancelling the (tripartite) agreement on distribution of river waters. Now, the apex court has scrapped that legislation. No dispute is now left over the SYL issue,” he said while talking to the media in Shimla.
Khattar, who was on a private visit to Shimla, said an all-party delegation from Haryana will soon meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apprise them of the latest situation.
He said Haryana should now get its share of river waters as several villages in the state are faced with water scarcity, particularly during summer season.
‘Royalty concept of colonial times’
Reacting to Punjab’s demand of royalty from other states for water sharing, Khattar said, “Royalty is a concept of the colonial times in India. In an independent and democratic country, there is no logic of royalty for water sharing.”
Observing that efforts are being made by Punjab leaders to gain political mileage out of the SYL issue, he said, “Since Punjab is going for assembly polls, political parties are trying to manipulate the issue in their own way. However, I think it is not going to affect polls in any manner.”
{{/usCountry}}Observing that efforts are being made by Punjab leaders to gain political mileage out of the SYL issue, he said, “Since Punjab is going for assembly polls, political parties are trying to manipulate the issue in their own way. However, I think it is not going to affect polls in any manner.”
{{/usCountry}}‘Not aware of BBMB issue’
To a question, Khattar said he was not aware of Haryana’s role in payment of arrears to Himachal Pradesh for its share in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects.
The Supreme Court had directed Punjab and Haryana to pay Rs 4,200 crore to Himachal for its share in BBMB.
“This issue has never come under my consideration during my two-year tenure so far,” he added.
When it was pointed out that as per the Punjab State Reorganisation Act of 1966, Himachal has 7.19% share in projects under BBMB, he said, “States should get their rights.”