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Chandigarh
A day ahead of his meeting with his Punjab counterpart over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, convened by the Centre, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said he was hopeful that Capt Amarinder Singh would agree to completion of the canal in accordance with the Supreme Court order.
Talking to The Tribune, Khattar said Haryana would decide its future course of action on the issue on the basis of the outcome of this meeting.
Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had convened the meeting to work out a way for implementation of the Supreme Court order, that mandated completion of the remaining part of the SYL canal by Punjab.
“Basically, the issue in tomorrow’s meeting is between the Centre and Punjab. The Centre has convened the meeting in compliance with Supreme Court directions issued last month that Punjab and Haryana should sit together to work out a solution,” Khattar said.
“As far as Haryana’s stand is concerned, it is well known as we are eager for early completion of the canal. I am hopeful that Punjab will show a positive attitude in tomorrow’s meeting,” he stated.
Asked whether he was hopeful of a positive response from his Punjab counterpart in view of the neighbouring state’s oft-repeated stand that it did not have a drop of water to spare, Khattar said he would not jump to conclusions before the meeting.
Asked about Haryana’s course of action if Punjab stuck to its previous stand, he said it would be decided only after taking into consideration the outcome of the meeting.
