NEW DELHI: The Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal has said that he was willing to talk to the elected government in Punjab to sort out the boundary question on a “give and take” basis.
He said he was willing to give up Chandigarh in lieu of Fazilka and Abohar. He also wanted the SYL canal constructed on a war footing. He had also asked the Center to sanction Rs 1000 crore grant-in-aid for the construction of new capital Haryana should also have the right to stay in Chandigarh at least for a period of five years during which a new capital would be built. But all this had to be in the spirit of give and take.
He told newsmen here Thursday that he was not aware of any package being offered to Punjab and had nothing to do with it.
Bhajan Lal came down heavily on the former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and Haryana Vikas Party leader Bansi Lal. He said these two leaders did not issue any statement till the Election Commission announced poll in Punjab.
Bhajan Lal said that even at the National Integration Council meeting on Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir Devi Lal did not talk about Fazilka and Abohar when others wanted to speak of the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.
Bhajan Lal pointed out that it was the Shah Commission which had given Chandigarh Kharar and other areas to Haryana. But later Chandigarh was given to Punjab in lieu of Fazilka and Abohar Devi Lal opposed the Indira Award tooth and nail. But now he was seeking its implementation. In 1985 he opposed the Rajiv Longowal accord. And now he was demanding the implementation of the Punjab accord.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1992
