Mann8217;s statement on SYL flayed

HISAR, MARCH 21: Taking strong exception to yesterday's act of Simranjit Singh Mann to fill up the Satluj Yamuna Link SYL canal near Ro...

HISAR, MARCH 21: Taking strong exception to yesterday8217;s act of Simranjit Singh Mann to fill up the Satluj Yamuna Link SYL canal near Ropar, Haryana Agriculture Minister Jagan Nath today gave a call to the people of the state to be prepared for a concerted struggle to get the rightful share of water.

He was addressing a well-attended public rally organised by Excise and Taxation Minister Om Parkash Mahajan, where Chief Minister Bansi Lal was also present.

The minister said the state had always been discriminated against. 8220;We will not tolerate further bias,8221; he asserted and added, 8220;Historically speaking, when justice is not done, it is achieved through struggle.8221;

Later, speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the state will get its due share of water. He did not elaborate as to what kind of strategy the state will adopt to get its rightful share of SYL water.

When mediapersons asked him about the CM8217;s reaction to the act, he said: 8220;At the moment, I don8217;t want to say anything on this issue.8221; He, however, blamed the neighbouring state for not honouring the SYL water commitment.

Expressing serious concern over the ever-increasing water-logging and salinity problem in the state, the Chief Minister declared, 8220;It8217;s on top priority of the government. The Rs 2300 crore masterplan prepared by the experts will be implemented.8221;

He said that a drain from Hisar to Ghaggar will also be built at a cost of several hundred crores of rupees which would benefit large areas in many affected districts of the state.

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Meanwhile, the Chief Minister cautioned the guilty employees of power board to adopt a work culture or face stringent action. 8220;Whosoever is found sending inflated bills to the consumers will face police action, including a jail-term,8221; he stated categorically.

The Chief Minister lambasted both Bhajan Lal and Om Parkash Chautala for misguiding and misleading the people for their vested interests. He said both of them have joined together to achieve their respective goals.