Manpreet fears secret water pact
Tuesday, 07/04/2015
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CHANDIGARH: Apprehending that additional waters are being allowed to Haryana from the existing system by raising the embankment of the Bhakra mainline (BML) canal, People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) president Manpreet Singh Badal on Monday questioned deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal on the issue.
The embankment of the BML canal has been raised by more than a foot in a stretch of 7km up to the Khanauri head. “The officials on the site have admitted that the raising is funded by Haryana and being done on a war footing,” Manpreet said.
He said the Punjab government was under pressure from the Centre to resolve the river waters dispute with Haryana, and in this context, he referred to the statement of Union minister Uma Bharti that she would call the CMs concerned.
‘BASELESS CHARGE’
AS Dullet, chief engineer of the canals wing of the Punjab irrigation department, clarified that no additional water was being given to Haryana. He said Haryana paid for the repair of the canal that carried water to it. The work for raising and relining of the embankment was sanctioned in 2001, he said.
