Punjab govt to take legal steps to stall Hansi Bhutana canal

Chandigarh, May 7 (UNI) The Punjab government has directed the state Advocate General to take all legal measures to stall the 'illegal' construction of the 109 km long Hansi Butana multi-purpose link channel to release water from the Bhakra Main Line (BML) to the Western Yamuna canal in Haryana.

Disclosing this at a press conference here today, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state government had already engaged the services of well known legal experts, Mr Venugopal and Mr Harish Salve to pursue this case in a proper perspective.

He categorically said action on the part of the Haryana Government was totally unjustified and unlawful as it had not sought permission from the Central Waters Commission (CWC) and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

He said even the Haryana government did not get an approval from the Union Ministries of Water Resources and Environment and Forests.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was committed to safeguard the interests of Punjab and would oppose the construction of the canal.

UNI