Chandigarh, January 27
Commenting on the meeting held between the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana (Bhagwant Mann and Nayab Singh Saini) over the SYL issue, Haryana Congress President Rao Narendra Singh termed it “baseless” and a mere “game of meetings.” He said that such meetings are misleading the public, as the Supreme Court has already delivered a verdict in favour of Haryana.
Singh demanded that the Haryana government should file a contempt of court case against the Punjab government in the Supreme Court. He stated that there is no justification left for further talks, as the court’s decision is clear and unambiguous. Rao Narendra Singh accused the BJP government of completely failing to protect Haryana’s rightful share of water. He said that SYL water is Haryana’s legitimate right, but no concrete steps are being taken to secure it. He reiterated that the Supreme Court verdict is in Haryana’s favour, and instead of holding meetings, the government should ensure its implementation.
Singh further stated that Haryana’s position is that, as per the court’s decision, it is entitled to around 3.5 MAF of water, which it is unable to receive due to the non-completion of the SYL canal, and that the state is demanding its full share. He emphasized that Haryana is only asking for what is rightfully its own, and all political parties should unite and exert pressure on this issue. However, he alleged that the present government is not taking the matter seriously. He said that this ongoing game of inconclusive meetings is a direct betrayal of Haryana’s interests.
