Chandigarh: The Punjab government is understood to have decided to retain the present alignment of the SYL link canal which is being constructed to carry water for Harayana. The government of India has not still set up a tribunal or envisaged in the Longowal-Rajiv accord. The present alignment is being opposed by the Punjab Unit of the Bhartry Kisan Union and some residents of the areas of Ropar District through which it passes, The AISSF the Dum Taksaal and other leading organizations of farmers are opposed to the very construction of the canal until a decision by a competent tribunal on Harayans share. The Punjab government had set up a committee to ascertain that it was practicable feasible and capable; technically to shift the alignment if it would be possible to complete the canal within the stipulated time, that is by August 15, 1986 if the alignment was changed. The committee headed by Mr. RS, Gill had recommended that objections against the present alignment were ill founded and that it should be retained. The government currently has accepted the recommendation of the committee; Mr. Balwant Singh finance minister had a long talk with the delegation of the Punjab BKU leader at Chandigarh on January 11. The minister is understood to have told the delegation about the decision of the government regarding the canal alignments, There was no reaction from the BKU. Meanwhile General Narinder Singh leader of the United Akali Dal, has said that any bartering away of a Punjab water would not be forgiven. He said in a statement that constitutionally and in accordance with the internationally accepted Riparian and Basin Law, the Punjab has the sole right to use of its water which would not be given to Harayana a non-riparian state.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1986
