Battle of Waters: SYL (Satluj Yamuna Link Canal

Punjab, land of five rivers (before partition), is well known as land of farmers as the main occupation here is agriculture. For purposes like irrigation and farming, Punjab needs more water than the other states.  Punjab was asked to share its river waters with the neighboring state, which created a battle of “YES” and “NO”, known as  SYL (Satluj Yamuna Link Canal) . Just like other issues, even this time Congress was not able to clear its stand. The “not so good bond” of congress party members was revealed. Their internal rift caused harm to the party again as everyone gave different opinions and statements on this issue.

Manpreet Badal

As per Manpreet Badal’s statement, Punjab should not share its river waters. He said that government should not allow neighboring state to take any waters from Punjab. His exact statement was “Punjab’s case is very strong; the only issue is to follow it up. If there is no water to spare, how can we give it to others?”

But here comes the twist, Captain Amarinder Singh and Charanjit Singh Channi did not give a “green signal” to Manpreet’s statement. The thought of Manpreet did not go well with the other two and they clearly showed their “no support” sign to him. But People were not so shocked as this was not the first time when Congress Party’s internal rift made headlines. It’s the fight of “EGO” of “ROYAL PEOPLE”.

Captain Amarinder Singh

On the other hand, S. Prakash Singh Badal (CM Punjab SAD), was so sure about his decision. He cleared the air with his words that Punjab will not share its waters at any cost, (AT ANY COST). He never changed his stand in this regards.

Giani Jail Singh (Chief Minister, Punjab Congress), took the initiative in the year 1976, and the SYL canal digging ceremony happened in 1982, where Indira Gandhi was also present. During the rule of Congress, a tripartite was signed between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

SAD-BJP government in Punjab cleared its stand that Punjab will follow the Riparian principle and won’t share its waters at any cost, no matter how hard sacrifice they have to make to fight this battle.

True face of Congress has been revealed and People of Punjab know pretty well about the “selfish motives” of this party. This party has got enough reasons to ensure their “defeat” in the upcoming 2017 Punjab elections.

Congress’ Boat Sinking in SYL waters

SYL has become the most serious matter of Punjab. But the question is if Punjabis don’t want to share their river waters then who allowed Haryana to think about this? Here’s the answer:

Prime accused in this case, Capt. Amarinder Singh took the worst decision and the Punjabis are still trying to bear the loss. Busy in his own life (be it be royal outings or love life), Amarinder Singh never really understood the need of Punjab.  

 

Not aware of the Punjab’s situation and the internal conflicts of the party added to the woes. Termination of Water Agreement Act 2004 created a serious water crisis. It created a rift between Punjab and Haryana as well. Congress Punjab got the full support of the Central Government (Congress) in this case. The main occupation of Punjabis is farming and it is well known as agricultural border state.

Being known as “Food Basket” of the nation, Punjab needs more water for irrigation, farming purposes than other states. But Congress missed no chance in ruining this state’s prime natural resource i.e. River Water. Congress is the party which ruled India and Punjab on the basis of famous policy “Divide and Rule”. Where Akalis always claimed that they won’t let any other state take a single drop of water from Punjab, Congress did the opposite despite knowing the fact that Punjab has no spare water to share with other states.

Amarinder Singh did nothing in the favor of Punjabis. He kept himself busy in provoking and hurting the sentiments of people. He instigated the agitation across state a number of times. It’s been years now, but Congress failed to take any correct and helpful action in the same. For now, SAD-BJP government currently ruling in Punjab has taken a strict action to not share river waters at any cost.

So we will have to wait till this dispute gets sorted out. God knows if it will have a “happy ending” or “sad one”. But we must say Congress is really great at creating disputes.

Amarinder & Pak Journo’s Marriage Mystery!

The mystery shrouded around the alleged affair and wedding of ex-chief minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh with the Pakistan-based journalist Aroosa Alam.

Even the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad was buzzed with griping comments and rumors about the affair between the two. Aroosa Alam is a Pak-journalist who has been associated with ISI. The federal ministers and high profile leaders have been found putting interesting comments on the issue.

Although Captain Amarinder always denied the reports of affair with Aroosa, but their closeness in public appearance were evident to everyone and displayed some other story. The affair turned into marriage rumors when love struck Amarinder was found spending state’s exchequer funds on his girlfriend Aroosa.

The relationship which started on a friendship note took the romantic turn resulted into a wedlock. But it was not clear whether Amarinder has converted to Islam or Aroosa accepted the Sikhism. As the wedding was possible in these two conditions only!

Aroosa is a daughter of an ill-famed Pak woman who was close to Pakistani General Yahaya Khan. She was often called General’s Rani because of her alleged relations with General. Following her mother’s footsteps, Aroosa been linked up to many top-notch celebs of Pakistan. She allured a Jat politician from Guranwala district, named Hamid Nasir Chatha. Reports of their close contact churned the rumor mills.

Aroosa started her career from English daily from capital Islamabad. Her department was related to defense and diplomatic issues. She even worked as a correspondent for Weekly Hurrmat Urdu. Today she is working for Daily Pakistan Observer in Islamabad.

She has joined SAFMA, a media NGO in India once she was elected as senior Vice President of Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club. She builds a sound relationship with Indian Ambassador Shiv Shankar Menon of that time, and it was due to his influence and assistance she got special visa of India. It was a rare privilege for a Pakistani Journo.  Menon is now serving as a secretary in Foreign Affairs of India.

The SAFMA members are considered to have suspicious links with hostile intelligence communities of India and Pakistan. It has been stated that Asoora is close connected with top brass of ISI.

Not long ago, Asoora has bought a house worth whopping Rs seven crore after her friendship or love affair with Captain Amarinder Singh. As per the sources to be believed this lavish mansion is gifted by Captain himself, to his lady love.

Punjab CM Badal, savior of Punjab River Waters: SYL Canal

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal gives cheque to Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar

Rs. 191-crore cheque (no. 997640 of State Bank of India) on behalf of a treasury officer of the Punjab government was sent along with a letter by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to the Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, which stated, “The council of ministers has decided to return all the funds received by the state of Punjab from Haryana for the SYL canal. I am therefore enclosing the cheque.”

Also, Mr. Badal proposed to return the entire land free of cost to the farmers 40 years after it was acquired. The proposal may be totally in keeping with the spirit of Punjab and in the best interests of its people.

Considerably, the Punjab Government’s stand on the river waters issue has been consistent and Shiromani Akali Dal has also made it known that there will never be any compromise on the rights of Punjab as a Riparian State from where these rivers originate. The ruling party has often said that it is ready for any sacrifice on this issue but it will not allow waters to go to neighbouring states.

Noticeably, a resolution was passed by the Haryana assembly against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government de-notifying the 3,928-acre land acquired for SYL canal Bill.  Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had in 1982 laid the foundation stone of the canal to share waters of Punjab with Haryana and Rajasthan.

Congress creating unrest over SYL issue

It is not only at the National level that the Congress party speaks the language of dissent, back in Punjab, the Congress party and its president, Capt Amarinder Singh have mastered the art of opposing everything that the ruling government proposes.
“The Punjab government is just trying to fool us and people of Punjab. They just want the matter to keep hanging in the court. They have just started the pseudo work of filling up the canal. It’s just an eye-wash. They know that Centre would not approve their Bill and neither will their ally BJP’s government in Haryana will allow it,” said Fatehgarh Sahib MLA and Congress national secretary Kuljit Singh Nagra.

To which Punjab revenue minister Bikram Majithia replied, “We would have already completed the filling up of the canal. This government is serious about safeguarding water interests of Punjab unlike you.”

Punjab has been over the years witnessed Shiromani Akali Dal’s contribution in the safeguarding the interests and rights of the people of Punjab, especially of the farmers and poor.  SAD has always remained the sole champion of the brave peasantry of the country as well as the Punjab state.