Get ready for stir on SYL: Badal

CM Parkash Singh Badal at a sangat darshan programme in Lambi assembly segment on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), April 6

If Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s speeches during his sangat darshan programmes are any indication, then SAD leaders have decided to go to jail to save the river water of the state in case the need arises.

During his three-day sangat darshan programme in Lambi Assembly segment that concluded today, Badal publicly appealed to the people in every village to get ready for a struggle on the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue.

On CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi’s demand for a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on the issue, the Chief Minister said, “There is no need for a special session as the Budget session has recently concluded. Now, we must get ready to go to jail to save the water of the state.”

He blamed the then Congress government of initiating the work of the SYL canal, saying, “Capt Amarinder Singh is now misleading the people by giving statements. It is on record that he had welcomed the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of this canal. However, we went to jail that time lodging our protest against it. On every step, we have opposed this canal and are still firm that its construction will not be allowed at any cost.”

Badal told AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to clear his party’s stand on the SYL canal. “Kejriwal should tell the people of Punjab what his party’s stand is. He should tell whether his party wants this canal to be constructed or not,” said Badal.

On the procurement of wheat crop, Badal said that all arrangements had been made to ensure timely procurement of wheat. “The cash credit limit for the procurement of wheat crop will be released soon by the Centre,” he said.

He appealed to the villagers to maintain cleanliness in their villages, saying, “If PM Narendra Modi comes to our area, what will we show him? We must maintain cleanliness in our villages. I can even sanction some funds for this purpose.” The CM directed SDM Malout Vishesh Sarangal to hold camps in all villages to identify new pensioners and issue blue cards to all eligible people within two months.

In clear violation of rules, some policemen on security duty were found using a vehicle without registration number plates. Similarly, a PPS officer was using his official car without number plates.

Farm labourers protest

In some villages today, farm labourers staged a protest demanding compensation due to the cotton crop failure last year. They also blamed SAD leaders for not allowing them to meet the CM.

On this, the Chief Minister said, “The funds for this have already been sent to all districts. The delay is just because of devising a foolproof method to identify and disburse compensation among the farm labourers engaged in plucking of the cotton crop.”

Groupism to the fore again

During the sangat darshan programme, SAD activists presented a picture of divide within the party this time too. The sangat darshan was organised at two places in Karam Patti village. 

Some SAD activists had yesterday even raised objection on getting funds for village developmental works through the village panchayat in Raniwala. In Panniwala Fatta village too, a faction had pitched another tent for the sangat darshan, but the CM did not heed to their demand.

Badal said, “There is groupism in one or two villages. They compete with each other and nothing else.”

Courtesy: The Tribune