Interests of the state on the issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal would be fully protected.

Chandigarh, Sept 6–The Central Government has assured Haryana that the interests of the state on the issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal would be fully protected.

This assurance was held out by the Union Minister for Water Resources, Mr Nitin Gadkari, when the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, led a delegation to him in New Delhi, today.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Mr Manohar Lal said in view of the hearing in the Supreme Court on the issue of SYL on Thursday, a delegation led by him met Mr Gadkari to present the viewpoint of the state. Mr Gadkari has assured the delegation that the state’s interests on this issue would be fully protected.

In reply to a query, the Chief Minister said the issue related to construction of the SYL Canal. Once it is constructed, the issue of release of water could be resolved through mutual dialogue.

Asked about the stand of the new government in Punjab, the Chief Minister said the SYL did not belong to any particular political party.

When quizzed about taking support of the Opposition parties in the state on this issue, the Chief Minister said his government was fighting for the interests of the state by taking along all political parties. Apart from holding an all-party meeting on this issue, an all-party delegation had called on the President and also the Union Home Minister, to present the state’s point of view.

The other members of the delegation included the Union Minister of Steel, Mr Birender Singh, Haryana Education Minister, Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Finance Minister, Capt. Abhimanyu, Health Minister, Mr Anil Vij, and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Mr O.P Dhankar. Apart from this, MP from Bhiwani, Mr Dharambir Singh, BJP state President, Mr Subhash Barala, Member of the BJP Disciplinary Committee, Prof. Ganeshi Lal, Chief Secretary, Mr D.S Dhesi, and Secretary, Union Ministry of Water Resources, Dr Amarjit Singh, also accompanied the delegation.