CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has suggested three alternatives on its territorial dispute with Punjab stating that reference of the dispute to Mr Justice Venkatramia would be rendered -un-workable as its jurisdiction was circumscribed by the terms of the reference. In a statement filed before the commission headed by Justice C.H. Venkatramia Harayana has urged Punjab to accept four villages in-exchange of Khandu Khera in Mukstar Tehsil to enable the transfer of 105 villages and two towns of Abohar & Fazilka to Haryana. Haryana has stated that in the interest of Justice to both States Punjab should agree that the transfer of other Hindi-speaking areas of Punjab has been shelved by the terms of reference to Venkatramia Commission will be full and final settlement of all mutual territorial claims by the respective states so that no further commission under Para 72 of the Punjab Accord would be appointed As an alternative has also suggested the principle of contiguity should be relaxed so that all the contiguous Hindi-speaking villages of Punjab the contiguity of which was broken by a village or two but are Hindi speaking will be transferred in lieu of Chandigarh. Significantly Haryana has not filed a claim on Amiz village of Abohar and Fazilka so far before Vankatramia Commission. Haryana has stated that in-case Punjab declines to any of the three Proposals the result would be that reference would be un-workable. It has further stated that reference has to be amended. To implement it in accordance with the term. Haryana has told the commission that since it will be bound by term of reference and the clause 7.2 of the Punjab Accord wide which it was to decide the areas to be transferred in lieu jot Chandigarh which will a barked upon or adjudicate upon or discharge any of the functions of the commission to be appointed under section 7.4 of the Punjab Accord for the re-adjustment of the Punjab Harayana boundaries.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 24, 1991
