AMN
A special session of the Punjab Assembly today unanimously passed resolutions on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal issue, directing the state government not to hand over land to any agency and also not to allow anyone to work for the construction of the SYL canal nor provide any sort of cooperation for the purpose.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh after the adjournment of assembly, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that today’s direction of Punjab assembly is mandatory to be followed for future government also. He said legislature forms law and governments have to follow legislature’s directions.
He said that land acquired for canal has been handed over to its original owners .He said now there is no issue of SYL existing and it is not a matter of contempt of court also as case is not pending in the court.
Assembly also passed a resolution directing government to ask for cost of water which is being used by the neighbouring states. This resolution was presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Madan Mohan Mittal in the assembly. He cleared that any Riparian state can ask for cost of water and there is such precedent in India earlier also.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that officials of finance and irrigation departments of state will assess the cost of water to be demanded from the neighbouring states which use waters of Punjab rivers.