Chandigarh : Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday moved a resolution in the state assembly noting with concern the Punjab assembly’s recent move on the transfer of the joint capital of Chandigarh. The resolution also urged the central government to take steps to construct the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal.
Reading out the official resolution in the specially convened assembly session in Chandigarh, Khattar accused Punjab of enacting legislations to deny against Haryana’s rightful claims. “The Haryana assembly has on at least seven occasions passed resolutions, urging the early completion of the SYL Canal. Several agreements, accords, tribunal’s findings and judgments of courts have all singularly upheld the claims of Haryana to the water and directed the completion of the SYL,” the Haryana chief minister said.
‘Haryana’s right on SYL Canal constitutionally established’
He said the Haryana assembly notes with concern the resolution passed by the Punjab assembly on April 1, recommending that the matter of transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab be taken up with the Centre. “The Indira Gandhi agreement, Rajiv Longowal accord and the Venkataramaiah Commission have accepted the claim of Haryana to Hindi-speaking areas that fall within Punjab’s territory. The transfer of Hindi-speaking villages from Punjab to Haryana has also not been completed,” Khattar said.
He argued that the right of Haryana to have a share in the waters of the Ravi and the Beas rivers by constructing the SYL Canal is historically, legally, judicially and constitutionally established over time.
The recent amendment in the rules of the Bhakra Beas Management Board by the central government for appointment of whole-time members goes against the spirit of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, which treats the river projects as common assets of the successor states of Punjab.
“The House notes with concern that the share of Haryana officers on deputation to the Chandigarh administration has been reducing over the years,” the official resolution said.
Punjab elder brother, not big brother: Hooda
Leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Haryana can accept Punjab as elder brother but not as a big brother. Punjab’s action seeking the transfer of Chandigarh will only spoil relations between the two states, Hooda said.
”Why should the administrator of Chandigarh be from Punjab only? When I was chief minister, I wrote to the central government that administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh should either be appointed on rotation basis from Punjab and Haryana or there should be an independent administrator,” Hooda said.
Still in infancy and wants to take over Chandigarh: Vij on AAP
Referring to Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) government in Punjab, Haryana health minister Anil Vij said, “Punjab’s resolution is politically motivated and mischievous. It’s an attempt of the Punjab government to divert people’s attention from the pre-election promises made to grab power. We need to understand the designs of the Punjab government. Char din ki party hai. Still in infancy and they are talking of taking over Chandigarh.”
Need to be more aggressive: Kiran Choudhary
Indian National Lok Dal MLA Abhay Chautala blamed Khattar and Hooda for not making efforts to get the SYL Canal constructed.
Congress leader Kiran Choudhary said that merely passing a resolution won’t help. “We also have to be aggressive. We need to assert on securing our rights pertaining to our share in the civil secretariat, Vidhan Sabha and the Punjab and Haryana high court,” she said, adding “Punjab ko munh tod jawab dena padega (We need to give Punjab a befitting reply).
First time Independent MLA, Balraj Kundu termed Punjab’s resolution as “ a mere political agenda” and accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government of playing with the sentiments of people. “I want to ask why political parties forget these issues when in power and remember them only when in the opposition,” Kundu said.
Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi went a step further and remarked that Punjab has a comedian for a chief minister.
Bureau Report
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