Chandigarh, June 23:- An important meeting was held between Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma at the residence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri CR Patil in New Delhi. Various issues related to water resources, irrigation and drinking water related to both the states were discussed in detail in the meeting. Senior officials of both the states also participated in the meeting.
During the meeting, the issue of supply of Rajasthan's share of water under the Upper Yamuna River Board Agreement of 1994 was discussed in detail. In this regard, it was decided that as per the agreement, its allocated water will be made available to Rajasthan through pipeline. An MoU will be signed on this issue on Monday.
Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini said that Haryana respects the water rights of Rajasthan under the agreement and Rajasthan will be provided with the allocated share of water. He said that better management of water resources can be ensured through coordination and cooperation between the states, which will benefit all the states.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma said that Rajasthan is only demanding the water allocated under the agreement. He said that by effectively utilizing the excess water flowing in the rivers during the rainy days, if it is conveyed to Rajasthan, then a permanent solution to the drinking water crisis in a large area of ??the state will be possible.
In the meeting, Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini said that Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar Dam projects are very important for the states of North India and their implementation will be expedited soon. Through these projects, meeting future water needs, increasing irrigation capacity and availability of drinking water will get a strong basis. He said that the necessary procedures will be completed soon by increasing coordination between the states concerned regarding these projects.
The Chief Minister also prominently raised the issue of polluted water falling in the Ghaggar river. He said that separate treatment plants will be set up for the treatment of water falling in the Ghaggar canal, so that the flow of untreated wastewater does not occur in the river and the cleanliness and environmental protection of water resources can be ensured.
The meeting had a wide-ranging discussion on various topics related to water management, river conservation and inter-state cooperation. Union Minister for Water Resources, Shri C.R. Patil directed the concerned officials to take immediate action on the necessary topics and said that better coordination between the states is necessary for proper utilization and conservation of water resources.
Haryana Chief Secretary, Shri Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Shri Anurag Agarwal, senior officials of the Rajasthan government and officials of the Union Ministry of Water Resources were present on the occasion.