HISSAR: Indian govt entrusted the proposed Sutlej Yamuna link canal to the army’s Border Roads Organization and gave it R.s 20 Core this year to execute the remaining works, Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal aid here last week.
The canal will take away Punjab river water to Haryana, a project that triggered the present agitation in the state way back in 1981.
Bhajan Lal claimed that the S.Y.L. project would be the first irrigation project to be carried out by the BRO. of the army.
Earlier attempts by the pro Haryana irrigation department officers of Punjab to finish the project met with opposition from Punjab’s Sikh militants who gunned down a few engineers and Workers to frustrate the work on the site. The Sikh militants oppose the canal on the ground. that Punjab’s precious natural wealth could not be allowed to be taken: out of the state. On the other hand, traditional Akalis have been soft towards the issue although they were the first to launch an agitation on the issue in 1981.
Bhajan Lal said the canal would be completed within a year. No Akali leader reacted to the Haryana Chief Ministers statements. Most Akalis are busy with issuing statements on Akal Takhats “kar Seva” issue. Bhajan Lal prepared the ground, psychologically with announcements regarding introduction of Punjabi in Haryana to soften certain section of Sikhs.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 1, 1991
