Congress boycotts all-party meet convened by Haryana govt

Opposition Congress today boycotted the all-party meeting convened by Haryana's BJP government on Jat reservation and Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal issues.
"We decided to boycott today's meeting...We have sought a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the violence during Jat stir and imposition of President's rule in the state. We will also meet Haryana Governor in this regard," state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar said.
"We have sought dismissal of the BJP Government on Jat issue for its failure to check the large scale violence and arson in the state which claimed 30 lives and caused massive damage to property," he said.

"Whatever happened during the Jat stir, Haryana suffered a huge loss and the state's image also took a hit," Tanwar said, adding, "When all this was happening, the BJP government played mute spectator. They have no moral right to rule and the government must be dismissed."
The state Congress chief claimed that today's meeting is just an eye-wash as the BJP government's intentions were not clear right from the beginning of the Jat stir.
He said Congress also believes that BJP is befooling people on SYL canal issue as it is in alliance with the ruling SAD in Punjab and at Centre.

"BJP can find a solution to the SYL canal issue if it wants to serve the interest of Haryana. But, it is only befooling the people of the state with an eye on Punjab polls next year by making it a political issue," Tanwar alleged.

He claimed that Khattar government did not have the intent to invite Congress and said there was "no proper invite".
Haryana's Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran
Choudhry, said the state government should put pressure on the SAD-BJP government in Punjab not to go ahead with the Punjab Satluj Yamuna Link Canal (Rehabilitation and Re-vesting of Proprietary Rights) Bill, 2016'.

"If Punjab goes ahead with passing the Bill, SYL will be dead forever. Then how will Haryana gets its water share," she said, adding, "The Haryana government should exert full pressure on Punjab and Centre over on this."
The neighbouring Punjab is set to bring the Bill during the ongoing session of its Assembly, which seeks to give back proprietary rights to the land owners from whom 5,376 acres were acquired for the SYL canal in 1977.
At the all-party meeting, the second in a span of three weeks with the first being held on February 19, the Haryana government will seek suggestion on the developments taking place in view of Punjab's proposed Bill on SYL issue.

It will also seek suggestions on the Jat reservation Bill which will be brought in during the Budget session of the Assembly beginning from March 14.
Chief Minister Khattar had proposed that a member from every opposition party help government draft the Bill.