MUKTSAR: In what could have far-reaching implications for Punjab, the ‘Union Water Resources Minister, Mr, YC. Shukla, Jan. 14th gave a categorical assurance that the present utilization of river waters by the state would be maintained even as the state Chief Minister, Mr, H.S. Brar, announced a bonanza apparently with an eye on the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at a Congress rally, on the ‘Occasion of the historic Maghi Mcla here, the Chief Minister announced 27% reservations for the backward classes in the state government services, a crop insurance scheme for the farmers, free education for girl students in various government Engineering Colleges and other technical institutions and construction of Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg.

Mr. Brar’s announcements at the rally may kick up another controversy between Punjab and Haryana, Like the Cauvery dispute, the apportionment of river waters is the major bone of contention between Punjab and Haryana with the latter having gone to the Supreme Court seeking directions to Punjab for constructing the Satluj Yamuna Ling canal which is to carry waters 10 Haryana. The Punjab Government maintains that the state has no waters lo spare and the previous accords and awards should be given a fresh look.

Mr. Shukla said Mr. Brar and his predecessor Mr, Beant Singh had been approaching him on the issue with the plea that the interests of the Punjab farmers should not be harmed. He said the needful would be done and there would be no scarcity of river ‘waters for the farmers in Punjab, He touched upon this issue twice during his speech.

The Union Minister cautioned the people against the “designs” of the forces including the Akalis and the Bharatiya Janata Party who, be said, had no policy programs or ideology but were trying to mislead and incite the people to grab power, He charged them with giving assurances to the people which they cannot fulfill.

He warned against the internal conspiracies and dangers and said efforts were being made to disturb the atmosphere at the behest of foreign powers to weaken the country. He attributed the 12day deadlock in the Parliament ‘On telecommunication issue to such “designs.”

He said Mr, Brar and his Haryana counterpart, Mr. Bhajan Lal, would solve the irritants in the interests of all.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 17, 1996