Haryana rejects alternative plan

There will be no digression from state govt’s chosen path for securing implementation of SC orders regarding construction of SYL canal and bringing rightful share of river waters to Haryana. OP DHANKAR, irrigation minister, Haryana

CHANDIGARH: The Centre’s efforts to settle the contentious issue of completion of theSutlej- Ya m una Link (SYL) canal by offering an alternative plan have not gone down well with the opposition parties in Haryana.

And the government too issued a statement that it would not budge from the original demand.

State irrigation minister OP D hank ar said the government is not entering into any fresh dialogue to come to an agreement with the Punjab government on the state’s share in river waters.

In a statement, Dhankar said there will be no digression from government’s chosen path for securing implementation of the Supreme Court orders regarding construction of the Sutlej Ya m una Link(SYL)c anal in Punjab and bringing rightful share of river waters to Haryana.

The options the Centre suggested included giving up the demand for construction of the SYL canal by Haryana and instead make the Hansi-Butana Bhakra Main Line link canal functional under the management and supervision of an independent agency like the Bhakra Beas Management Board. The Centre also suggested that 1,000 cusecs additional water can be released to Ha ryan a by Punjab. A draft affidavit in this regard was prepared by the Union ministry of water resources but could not be submitted in the SC as Haryana expressed reservations.

Former CMBhu pin der Singh Hooda said the Supreme Court order has attained finality and there is no other option with Punjab but to complete the canal construction.

“The issue of the Han si But ana link canal cannot be linked with the SYL canal completion. We will never accept the Centre’s proposal ,’’ Hooda said. The Congress leader said if the BJP government in Ha ryan a succumbs to the proposal it will harm the interests of the state.

The Hansi Butana link canal was built to carry Haryana’s share of Ravi-Beas waters from the Bhakra command to the Western Jamuna canal and lift command. Its operation has been stayed by the SC. Leader of opposition Abhay Ch au ta las aid their party, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), would launch a massive agitation if the state agrees to the Cent re’ s proposal .“We will never let this happen. This will be gross in justice to the people of Haryan a. How can the central and the state governments refuse to comply with the orders of the SC ?’’