Punjab CM takes on opposition for allowing SYL canal survey

New Delhi [India],: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday slammed opposition leaders for their stand on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue and said that Sunil Jakhar, Sukhbir Badal , Partap Bajwa should be ashamed of themselves for allowing the survey of the land allocated to Punjab for the canal.

Mann’s remarks came in response to a statement by Devi Lal, a Haryana MLA, who praised the late Parkash Singh Badal, former Punjab Chief Minister, for allowing the survey.

In a post on X, CM Bhagwant Mann said “Honorable Sunil Jakhar ji, Sukhbir Badal ji, Bajwa ji, Raja Waring ji… Do you have a little shame or not?? Devi Lal praised Parkash Singh Badal in the Haryana Assembly for allowing the survey of SYL. As far as the water from the river goes, you need not worry. Since I was a child my parents used to ask me to look after the fields. Today also this is my duty and that duty is toward the Sutlej. On first of November the people will know who actually sacrificed for this land of Punjab.”

Meanwhile, in response to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s “open invitation” to all Opposition parties for a “live debate on all issues”, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief Sunil Jakhar asked why the AAP had made a weak representation before the Supreme Court on the issue.

“Having already diluted Punjab’s well-established stand on SYL issue in Supreme Court, the keenness now shown by the newly appointed Advocate General to enter in a dialogue with other states rather than legally defend interests of Punjab proves that Sh. @BhagwantMann’s Government has made up its mind to concede our absolute rights over the water of Punjab,” Jakhar said in a post on ‘X’.

Amid the tussle on SYL (Satlej Yamuna Link) Canal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday extended an “open invitation” to the Opposition parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress for a “live debate on all issues” instead of “daily bickering”.

After the Supreme Court came heavily on the Punjab government for not taking steps for the construction of the canal, the Opposition parties have been protesting against the same demanding immediate action.

On Wednesday, a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul CT Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia, while hearing a matter relating to the Sutlej-Yamuna link (SYL) canal dispute, came down heavily on the Punjab government for not taking steps for the construction of the canal. The court remarked that Punjab has to cooperate in the process.

The court directed the Centre to survey the portion of the land allocated to Punjab. The court also directed the Centre to look into the mediation process. The court listed the matter for further hearing in January 2024.