The Haryana State Assembly on Tuesday termed the Punjab Legislative Assembly’s recent resolution urging the Central government to transfer the Union Territory of Chandigarh to Punjab as “not acceptable to the people of Haryana”, and asserted that Haryana continues to retain its right to the the two States’ joint capital territory of Chandigarh.
At a special session of the Haryana State Assembly in Chandigarh, the House unanimously passed a resolution, moved by Chief Minister Manohar Lal, staking claim to Chandigarh. The resolution also demanded an immediate completion of the Satlej Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) to let Haryana get its share of waters from the Ravi and Beas rivers. The resolution also pointed out that since Haryana came into existence in 1966, the transfer of Hindi speaking villages from Punjab to Haryana had also not been completed.
“Under these circumstances, we urge the Central government not to take any steps that would disturb the existing balance and to maintain harmony till all the issues emanating from the reorganisation of Punjab are settled,” Mr. Lal said. The resolution was supported by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), and also the Opposition Congress party, and a sole member of Indian National Lok Dal.
