Request Punjab to release water to Haryana without terms: CM Saini
The ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana has taken a new turn, with the Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini urging the Punjab government to release drinking water to Haryana without any conditions. This development comes after the Punjab government passed a resolution in the state assembly, vowing not to allow the release of water to Haryana.
The resolution, moved by the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government, has been strongly condemned by the Haryana cabinet. The dispute between the two states is not new, with both sides having a long-standing disagreement over the sharing of the water of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, a crucial water source for both states.
The SYL canal was built in the 1980s to supply water from the Sutlej River to the Yamuna River, which flows through Haryana. The canal was meant to provide irrigation facilities to the farmers of Haryana, but Punjab has been resisting its completion and operation, citing concerns over its own water security.
The recent resolution passed by the Punjab government has only added to the tension between the two states. In response, Chief Minister Saini has urged the Punjab government to reconsider its decision and release drinking water to Haryana without any conditions.
“We request that the Punjab government release drinking water for the people of Haryana without any conditions,” Chief Minister Saini said in a statement. “Haryana is facing a severe water crisis, and the people of the state are struggling to get access to clean drinking water. We urge the Punjab government to understand the plight of the people of Haryana and release water without any conditions.”
The Haryana cabinet has also condemned the proposal passed by the Punjab government, terming it “unacceptable”. The cabinet has called upon the Centre to intervene in the matter and ensure that the water needs of Haryana are met.
The dispute between Punjab and Haryana over water is not new, and has been ongoing for decades. The two states have had several disagreements over the sharing of water resources, with Punjab being more protective of its water resources due to its own water scarcity issues.
However, the recent resolution passed by the Punjab government has taken the dispute to a new level, with the state refusing to release water to Haryana without any conditions. This has led to a strong reaction from the Haryana government, which has urged the Centre to intervene in the matter.
The Centre has so far maintained a neutral stance on the dispute, urging both states to resolve the issue amicably. However, the situation is likely to escalate further in the coming days, with both states refusing to budge from their respective positions.
The impact of the dispute is likely to be felt not only by the people of Haryana but also by the farmers of the state. Haryana is a major agricultural state, and the farmers rely heavily on irrigation facilities to grow crops. Any disruption to the water supply is likely to affect the agricultural production of the state, leading to economic losses for the farmers.
In conclusion, the dispute between Punjab and Haryana over water is a complex issue that requires a peaceful and amicable solution. The Haryana Chief Minister’s request to the Punjab government to release drinking water without conditions is a reasonable one, and the Punjab government would do well to reconsider its decision.
The Centre must also play a proactive role in resolving the dispute, and ensure that the water needs of both states are met. The people of Haryana are waiting for the day when they can get access to clean drinking water without any hassle, and it is the responsibility of both the Punjab and Haryana governments to ensure that this happens.
