Congress Leader Hooda Urges All-Party Meeting on SYL Canal Issue in Haryana

In a recent development, Haryana Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has urged the BJP-led state government to promptly convene an all-party meeting on the contentious Satluj Yamuna Link Canal issue. This demand comes in response to the latest directives issued by the Supreme Court regarding this ongoing dispute. Hooda, who serves as the Leader of Opposition in Haryana's assembly, made this statement while addressing media personnel in Rohtak.

Supreme Court Intervention

The Supreme Court, on October 4th, directed the Central Government to carry out a survey of land allocated for constructing part of the SYL canal within Punjab’s territory. The apex court also asked for an estimation of how much construction work had been completed thus far. This move by the judiciary has invited mixed reactions from political parties across both states involved.

Punjab's Stance

Political entities within Punjab have adamantly maintained that their state does not possess any surplus water that can be shared with other states. They argue that diverting water through this proposed canal would severely strain their already limited resources and disrupt local ecosystems.

Haryana's Response

In stark contrast to Punjab’s stance, political outfits in Haryana have welcomed these directions from India's highest court. They believe that securing additional water via this canal is a rightful claim for their state and crucial for its overall growth and prosperity.

Hooda's Position

"SYL water is Haryana’s right," asserted Hooda during his interaction with reporters at Rohtak. He further criticized both state and central BJP leaders for allegedly stalling progress on this critical matter due to what he described as their "negative attitude". According to him, no significant steps were taken by either administration towards resolving this issue during past tenures.

Hooda's Assurance

Despite his criticism of the BJP, Hooda has pledged that the Congress Party will fully support any decision taken by the state government in Haryana’s interests. He believes that an all-party meeting would be a crucial step towards achieving consensus and resolving this long-standing dispute.

In conclusion, the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal issue continues to be a hotbed of political controversy between Punjab and Haryana. While both states continue to assert their own interests, it is apparent that finding a solution acceptable to all parties involved will require dialogue, negotiation, and compromise. The call for an all-party meeting by Bhupinder Singh Hooda represents a positive move towards fostering such productive discussions. It remains to be seen how the BJP-led government responds to this proposal and what steps are taken next in order to resolve this contentious issue.