Khattar asks Punjab pol parties not to politicise SYL issue

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today asked the political parties in Punjab to respect the Supreme Court's decision on the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) and not give political colour to the issue in the view of forthcoming elections there.
Talking to reporters here, he expressed hope that the "decision would be amicably implemented".
Asked about Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal's statement that he would not allow even a single drop of SYL water to Haryana and is ready to make any sacrifice, Khattar said such acts should not be done in federal system.
"Our's being a federal system, the decision of Supreme Court should be accepted by rising above politics," he added.

Asked about reports of resignation of few Congress leaders of Punjab, including Amarinder Singh from his Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, he said as the assembly elections are approaching in Punjab, the parties are trying to give political colour to the issue of SYL which should not be done.
He said the decision of the apex court would not affect the interest of Punjab.

In reply to a question, Khattar said that this is not the question of BJP-ruled state but it is a matter of distribution of water between the states.
He said Punjab and Rajasthan were already getting their share of water from Ravi-Beas waters but Haryana was deprived off its legitimate share of water.

"But after this decision, we would get 3.5 MAF of water as our share," he said, adding especially for parched land in southern Haryana through SYL.
Asked about the possibility of any tension which might mount in the region following the judgment, he said neither there is any such situation nor we would allow disruption of peace in the state.
He said now after this SC decision would go to the President of India after which it is expected that the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, 2004 passed by the Punjab Assembly would be nullified and thereafter this judgment would be implemented.

Khattar said the state government fast tracked the hearing on presidential reference which had been pending in the Supreme Court for the last 12 years.
"Today, the Supreme Court has announced its decision in favour of Haryana and he welcomes it," he said.