SHIWANT: Notwithstanding what the Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan. Lal might say on the SYL canal there does not seem to be any possibility for the resumption of work on it in the near future. A clear indication to this effect was given at a public meeting addressed by the Union Water Resources Minister Vidya Charan Shukla here last week al which Bhajan Lal also spoke. While Bhajan Lal was at his persuasive best to make Shukla commit for something positive on the issue. Shukla was at his evasive best. Shukla’s family ranks the next only to the Nehru’s in serving the nation Bhajan Lal said and then went on to say that he is the right hand man of
Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. This can be made out from the fact that he holds the portfolio of parliamentary affairs.
Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh is a great patriot the continued. Though he always maintained that the SYL canal would be constructed he could not do it at the cost of peace in Punjab So we did not say anything made an appeal to Shukla to use your good offices now to solve the SYL canal issue the way you have solved the Yamuna waters tangle. The Central minister was however in no mood to oblige. He came out with the familiar refrain of Congress leaders to leave the issue in the hands of the prime minister and he will work it out to the satisfaction of all parties.
Bhajan Lal said the main problem confronting Haryana was water If this could be overcome Haryana alone could meet the food requirements of the country he said. The chief minister said the opposition might say that Haryana’s share in Yamuna waters had gone down but the facts spoke otherwise
Article extracted from this publication >> June 3, 1994
