Cong-led govt committed to protect Punjab's interest on SYL

Punjab Power and Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh today said the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government is committed to protect the state's interest on the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link (SYL) canal issue.
"We will save our water and we are committed to it. To protect our interest, we will fight in the Supreme Court," he said after assuming charge here.
"The government will not allow any injustice with Punjab on the issue," Singh said.
The newly-appointed minister also held a meeting with Advocate General Atul Nanda on the SYL issue.
Singh, who also holds the Power portfolio, said the priority of the new government will to reduce electricity tariff for the benefit of consumers.

"We had announced to reduce power tariff and we are committed to fulfil it," he said, adding efforts would be made to reduce wasteful expenditure.

On releasing tube well connections under the discretionary quota, Singh said he will look into any lapses by the power utility.
Meanwhile, Punjab Minister of State (Independent Charge) Razia Sultana said her priority will be to end corruption and bring transparency in the functioning of the PWD Department.
"The department will complete projects within a given time frame to avoid any delay," Sultana said.
"We will start by constructing internal roads first as they were in bad condition," the minister said.

Sultana has been allotted PWD, Social Security and Development of Women and Children (Independent Charge).
On a sacrilege incident in Malerkotla last year, she said the new government will arrest the accused.