SYL issue again dominates discussion in Haryana assembly

Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue again dominated proceedings in the Haryana Assembly during the discussion on Governor's Address here today.

Participating in the resuming discussion, senior Congress leader Karan Singh Dalal attacked both the ruling BJP and main opposition INLD for allegedly misleading the people on the SYL issue.

"Both BJP and INLD are misleading the people on SYL issue," the Palwal MLA alleged.

Dalal, who was frequently interrupted by main opposition INLD members, blamed the party for playing spoilsport in the Rajiv-Longowal Accord.

"Had the Rajiv-Longowal Accord been implemented in letter and spirit, Haryana could have got the SYL waters long back," Dalal said.
 

Further slamming INLD, he charged that their role had always been doubtful on the issue.

INLD senior leader and Leader of the Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala took strong exception to allegations of Dalal who also took a veiled dig at INLD patriarch, late Devi Lal, over the Rajiv-Longowal Accord.

Chautala was unsparing in his criticism of the Congress for its failure to safeguard Haryana's interest, while praising the role of his late grandfather and former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal.

Chautala asked Dalal what the Congress did on the SYL issue during its 10-year rule in Haryana and at the Centre.

"The Congress owes an explanation to the people for its role in the SYL issue during its 10-year tenure at the state and Centre," Chautala asserted.

However, Congress Legislature Party leader and former state minister Kiran Chaudhary refuted the claims of Chautala and said that it was during the Bansi Lal government in the state when "95 per cent work on the construction of SYL canal took place".

Dalal also took a dig at close relations between the Chautala clan and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal alleging the two families did not want the SYL canal to be completed "as waters from Sirsa district where both families own lands would be diverted to southern Haryana".