CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Assembly witnessed an acrimonious debate on the Yamuna water accord, which was marked by jibes by leaders of the Congress, the HVP and the RSJP on each other.
While the Opposition led by Bansi Lal of the HVP and Om Prakash Chaulala of the RSJP alleged that the Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal, had frittered away the interstate of Haryana, Bhajan Lal was equally forceful in saying that the Opposition was criticizing the accord because it did not want that farmers of the State should benefit from it.
The RSJP members staged a walkout just as Bhajan Lai concluded his reply and the Speaker; Ishwar was about to adjoum the house after the 165minute debate. Pansi Lal was on his legs seeking certain clarifications from Bhajan Lal when the House was adjoumed. The RSJP members raised slogans demanding the scraping of the accord.
Alleging that Bhajan Lal had signed the accord under the pressure » of the Center, Bansi Lal said the accord contained a dicy clause. Which provided that in case the flow of water decreased, the drinking water needs of Delhi would first be met?
He alleged that the ruling party had done nothing to ensure that the control of the Harike and Ropar headwork’s was given to the BBMS. He also alleged that whenever any interstate accord was signed under the leadership of Bhajan Lal, Haryana’s interests suffered. Reiterating that Haryana’s share in the Yamuna accord had gone down, Chautala wanted to know why the previous accord which was valid till 2000 AD was reopened six years before its expiry. He alleged that even before the SYL canal was constructed in Punjab the Congress Government led by Bansi Lal had constructed 91kmlong canal in Haryana “for taking commission’ and which was now being used by Punjab.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 23, 1994
