SYL resolution only through talks: Amarinder

Chandigarh

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has expressed hope that the Supreme Court’s directive on the formation of a committee of officers by Punjab and Haryana would lead to a long-term, just and equitable solution to the vexed SYL problem in the backdrop of the worsening water situation in his state.

Reacting to the apex court’s orders, issued on Tuesday, the copy which was received by the state government on Thursday, the CM said talks were the only way to resolve the issue, which threatened to plunge Punjab into a major environmental disaster. It was imperative for all the parties concerned to work together in the interest of the nation and to avert such a disaster, he added.

The CM said the Centre’s intervention, as directed by the Supreme Court, would be critical to facilitating constructive talks between the representatives of the two states in line with the apex court’s orders.

The Supreme Court, in its orders, said, “We request the CMs of both the states to form a committee of officers and also to ensure that both of them deliberate with the intervention of the Central Government at the highest level and if possible to work out a solution.” The orders have been passed “without meaning to comment on the merits of the submissions of the rival parties with respect to the executability of the decree passed by this court (earlier).”

The CM said the state would immediately initiate the process of naming officers for the proposed committee and hoped Haryana would also move in the same direction without delay. Given the criticality of the issue, an early resolution would be in national interest, he added.

Tough stance on water wastage

Taking a tough stance against wastage of water, Capt Amarinder issued a series of directives to ensure conservation of the precious resource, including penalisation of defaulters of water bills. He reviewed the water shortage situation at the second meeting of the Urban Renewal and Reforms Consultative Group and ordered a virtual war against water wastage.