Slamming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership for adopting double standards on issue of Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today posed a question to AAP convener Mr. Arvind Kejriwal to clear his stand on this issue.Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Lambi assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that Mr. Kejriwal owes an answer to people of Punjab as what was the stand of his party on this emotive issue concerning every Punjabi. He said that it was the most important issue concerning the people of state and AAP should tell whether they want this canal to be constructed or not. Mr. Badal said that hypocrisy of AAP leadership over this issue reflects that none of the political parties except SAD-BJP alliance has any sympathy on this issue.
The Chief Minister further said that though state Congress Chief Captain Amarinder Singh was now misleading the people by ‘shedding crocodile tears’ over this issue but it was on record that he had welcomed the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi to perform the ground breaking ceremony of this canal. He said that at that time all these Congress leaders were vying with each other to hail Mrs. Gandhi, for robbing the share of state in river waters. Mr. Badal said that Congress party and its leadership were the main perpetrators of this gravest crime against the state and its people.The Chief Minister further said that that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has always relentlessly struggled to safeguard the interests of the state at every cost. He said that the Akali Dal had opposed the construction of this canal since its inception by launching a morcha. “We are ready to make any sacrifice but construction of SYL will not be allowed to take place at any cost”, added Mr Badal.
Reiterating his firm commitment to lift every grain of the wheat crop, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to ensure smooth, hassle free procurement of the crop. He said that all the arrangements have been made to ensure that the entire procurement process was completed promptly in hassle free manner. Mr. Badal said that the cash credit limit for the procurement of wheat crop would be released soon by the Government of India (GoI).Earlier addressing the public gatherings in village Daula Kingra, Tharajwala, Lalbai, Channu, Beedowali and Mann, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to get prepare themselves for struggle to save the waters of the state. He said that the state has been a victim of conspiracy hatched by the Congress part to rob the state of its legitimate share in river waters. However, Mr. Badal categorically said that the state doesn't have a single drop of spare water to share with any other state. "We will make every effort to ensure that Punjab was not denied of its legitimate share in river waters" he added.
The Chief Minister said that the process of disbursing compensation to the farm labours engaged in plucking of cotton crop in the region would also be completed soon. He said that the requisite funds for this purpose have been already sent to the Deputy Commissioners. "We are duty bound to safeguard the interests of farming community at every cost and no stone would be left unturned for this cause" added Mr Badal.The Chief Minister also said that the state government was making concerted efforts to further give major fillip to the development of the state. He said that the top priority of the state government was to ensure holistic development of the state besides cementing the bonds of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood.Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middukhera, Chairman PUNCOFED Mr. Kulwinder Singh Bhai Ka Kera, Circle President Mr. Avtar Singh Vanwala, Mr. Paramjeet Singh Lally, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema, Joint Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Kumar Amit and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Sumit Jaranghal.