Punjab CM pushes for consensual solution to SYL

Wednesday 17th May 2017 06:56 EDT
 
 

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh pushed for a consensual resolution of the SYL dispute, calling for coordination of the states with the Centre. Addressing the 28th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council, he also sought the central government's help in supplementing Punjab's efforts to check cross-border smuggling of drugs.

Amarinder reiterated his demand for the central government's concessions, on the lines of the fiscal and industrial concessions being given to other states, in order to compensate for the financial and economic losses already suffered by it. He said this was necessary to provide a level playing field to the state, as revealed in an official release. On the drug menace in the state, the CM said the border was manned by central security forces, and that the Home Minister should order a strict vigil to check drugs smuggling. He underlined the importance of inter-state coordination and the need to combat the drug problem in a systematic and organised manner. Amarinder also urged neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Haryana, HP and J&K to make focused efforts to check illegal cultivation of poppy and cannabis.

Noting that Punjab was going through a severe ecological crisis because of depletion of ground water, he urged the Central government to take expert advice on reliable estimates of future flows in these rivers.

Amarinder asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to look into the matter of Shahpur Kandi dam project which had been stalled by the state in 2014. Pointing out that the water Sutlej river was used for drinking in many parts of the state, he said his government had initiated an ambitious project for cleaning of rivers. He said it would also ensure that all the waste water being discharged into Punjab's rivers was treated before discharged, in the next three years.


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