JALANDHAR: The Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh has said that the demands and aspirations of the people of Punjab had not been given due attention by the Central Government ‘and it which time that they were fulfilled in a time bound manner. He said that the government probably did not understand the problems facing Punjab in the right perspective, resulting in the loss suffered by the slate over the past decade. His cither a feeling of uncertainty and dissatisfaction prevailed in the border areas of the country and this feeling of isolation was being exploited by hostile neighbors to spread turmoil in the country.
‘The minister maintained that prosperity in Punjab meant country’s prosperity. But at the same time he warned that any untoward incident happening in this border state would have a direct bearing on the entire nations He said that a solution to the Punjab problem should be found by taking into confidence all section of people, ‘but such talks should not go beyond the larger nation.
He said if the Country could now hold its own in the international arena, while pursuing the path of cooperation, there was need for caution and trinity among the people. Harcharan Singh Brar said that the stale government was in favor of scrapping all previous agreements on the sharing of river waters between Punjab and Haryana and wanted both states to put up fresh claims before the Center.
Brar clarified the state government’s stand that Punjab was not against sharing its river waters with the riparian state of Haryana but it would only be given its rightful share.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 18, 1994
