In a scathing attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government for having a double stand over the SYL issue, Haryana Chief Minister on Friday said that the Aam Admi Party should articulate a definitive stance on the matter. The AAP should not confine its discussions solely to Punjab Bhawan but should extend its deliberations to encompass a wider perspective on the SYL canal dispute, he added.
Addressing a press conference, Khattar called the Mann government a ‘Dau Muhi sarkar’ (double-faced government) for giving contradictory statements on the SYL issue. Instead of finding an amicable solution to this issue, the Punjab government is shedding crocodile tears, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that the Supreme Court has given a three-month deadline to the central government to take possession of the land which has been acquired and urged the Central Government to immediately start the survey process in Punjab to complete the work of the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal. He expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for its decision regarding the early construction of SYL.
Khattar said that Haryana has always been in favour of finding solutions through mutual dialogue but Punjab's attitude towards the construction of SYL and the distribution of water has always been adamant.
He said that Punjab has always insisted on sharing water instead of SYL construction, whereas in the year 2002, the Supreme Court had given a decree in favour of Haryana regarding the construction of the canal and sharing of water, making it clear that under the Article 9.1 and 9.2 of the parliament, the cases of disputes between the states will be referred to a tribunal according to the 'Inter-State Water Disputes Act'. Also, the dispute over the construction of the SYL canal has not been linked to Para 9.3 of the agreement. This makes it clear that the construction of the SYL canal has nothing to do with water sharing among the states and is not a water dispute, said Khattar.
The Haryana CM said that due to the delay in the construction of the SYL canal by Punjab, not only is Haryana facing a water crisis, but the excess water of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas is going to Pakistan. Due to this, the country is being deprived of taking advantage of its water wealth. In the last ten years, 1.68 MFA of Sutlej water and 0.58 MFA of Ravi-Beas water have flowed to Pakistan, he claimed. Therefore, it is important that the construction of the SYL Canal be completed as soon as possible to prevent the loss of water resources at the national level, asserted Khattar.
The CM said that due to the non-completion of SYL construction, farmers of Haryana are suffering huge losses. With the completion of the construction of the canal, the farmers of the state will have additional water available for irrigation, which will not only increase the agricultural production but will also help increase the income of the farmers, he said.
Highlighting other benefits of completion of the construction of SYL, he said that only one channel of water carrying is available to Haryana from the Bhakra Nangal dam and that too is now 69 years old. If there is any blockage in this channel for any reason then the entire system of supplying water to Haryana will stop. He said SYL Canal will play an important role in preventing this situation and it will work as an alternative channel, which will also benefit Punjab. After the completion of the canal work, apart from supplying the water of the acquired area of Haryana, it will also carry the extra water coming during monsoon, due to which there is a flood situation in Punjab also, said Khattar.
Khattar announces regularisation of additional 303 colonies in 14 districts
Khattar also announced the regularisation of an additional 303 colonies across 14 districts with immediate effect, accompanied by an allocation of Rs 3000 crore for comprehensive infrastructure development within these colonies. These colonies comprise 193 under 39 municipalities and 110 governed by the Town and Country Planning Department. He said that 2,90,540 properties are built in these colonies and this regularisation move is expected to bring relief and development to a population of over 10 lakh residents within these areas, he said.
Khattar said that special attention is being given to sewer lines, water supply, roads, street lights, parks and other development works in a total of 404 such regularised colonies in urban areas. These notified colonies, which are being regularised, are situated on a total of 5000 acres of land. In these, the government will spend Rs 60 lakh per acre on creating civic facilities and other development works. This will improve the standard of living of the people living here.
CM announces 100 percent waiver of tax and penalty on outstanding property tax
Giving relief to the people, Khattar announced to complete waiver of taxes and penalties on outstanding property tax, providing a substantial direct benefit to property owners of around Rs 8000 crore. Besides this, he also announced a 15 percent rebate on the principal outstanding property tax, giving property owners an extra benefit of approximately Rs 1200 crore.
Taking a decision aimed at safeguarding its residents from the hazards posed by high-voltage power lines, he said that Haryana Government has decided to shift 33,000 volts (KV) and 11,000 volts (KV) power lines passing over colonies, houses, phirnis, parks, ponds, schools etc. In this regard, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, (UHBVNL) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVNL) have prepared a proposal to shift all such lines, which has been approved.
