Chandigarh, July 16 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, while hitting out at those blaming Haryana for the flood-like situation aroused due to heavy rains and floods said, playing the blame game even at the time of crisis is nothing but proof of being uneducated.
“Some prominent politicians are trying to defame Haryana by circulating photos claiming that it is only because Haryana has released water from Hathnikund barrage which has caused flood-like situations in their states. Making such statements is nothing but shows their ‘low-level' mentality. Also, I think if there is any PhD degree of being ill-informed then these people will get PhD degree for sure, “said Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing a press conference in Rohtak today.
The Chief Minister said that the flood-like situation caused due to increased water levels in the Yamuna River has firstly affected the villages of Yamunanagar district only. The situation due to increased water levels in the Yamuna River became so bad that we had to vacate two villages in the district.
“Ye kaunsa sidhant hua ki phele hum kudh ko dubaenge aur fir Delhi ko (What is the logic behind that first we will drown our own districts and then will drown Delhi). Before defaming us, these people should have a clear understanding that Haryana has more districts adjoining to Yamuna than Delhi. If any untoward situation arises then Haryana will be affected more. Haryana will not be defamed by such silly statements. We have our own identity. We believe in serving not harming,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that ever since canals and dams are built, there is a written rule which says that every barrage has a fixed capacity and water below that capacity is diverted. But when the water level increases, the diversion of canals is stopped, as the excess water flow can damage the system. If it is kept closed, then the system will be safe. After this, the natural flow of water will go in that direction. Even in Bhakra, if there is an overflow, the water goes into the rivers like Sutlej and not into the Bhakra Main Canal, informed the Chief Minister.
Before blaming us, Delhi should remember Haryana is fulfilling its water needs, says Manohar Lal
Sh. Manohar Lal said that before blaming Haryana, Delhi should remember the State is fulfilling its water needs.
“We do not only meet Delhi's water requirement but are giving more water than Delhi’s share. Delhi's share is 750 cusecs and even today Haryana gives 1070 cusecs of water to Delhi. 320 cusecs of water gives more than its share,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that the even after Supreme Court’s directions asked Delhi to pay for taking extra water from Haryana, Delhi has never paid anything for getting 320 cusecs of extra water.
Haryana never spends money on the maintenance of the ITO Barrage
Sh. Manohar Lal said that Haryana never spends money on the maintenance of ITO Barrage. That money was given by Indraprastha Power Plant till 2018. With the closure of the plant, the money was stopped.
“The Delhi government never said that any such problem could arise here. They never held a flood control meeting and if they did, they never said that the maintenance of this barrage has stopped. Today, when there was a problem, he is creating an unnecessary ruckus,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that due to the lack of proper maintenance of Yamuna, the Delhi government could not take out even 3 lakh cusecs of water from the Delhi area. The Haryana government has set up an inquiry to check all their systems. Along with the ITO barrage, encroachments inside the Yamuna river have also been asked to be identified as not Haryana, but the illegal encroachments in Yamuna have resulted in flood-like situations in Delhi, said the Chief Minister.
Had the SYL canal been built today, Punjab would have suffered less
The Chief Minister said that if the SYL Canal had been built today, Punjab would have suffered less. Excess rainwater from Punjab flowed into the SYL constructed in Haryana, due to which areas of Ambala and Kurukshetra districts were submerged. These two districts were submerged only because of incomplete SYL. But we never accused Punjab of this situation, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Taking a dig at those saying that if Haryana needs water then they can take it now, the Chief Minister said that it is not right to make such statements at this time.
“No one demands water during monsoons. Water is demanded for the remaining 9 months when there is a need. Jokes are good to crack when someone is not at any constitutional post, but once you are sitting at an important position then you have to behave responsibly and sensibly,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
30 people died due to rain and flood, and 133 houses damaged
The Chief Minister said that in previous years there was 145 mm of rain during these days, but this time the state has received 245 to 250 mm of rain, which is 180 percent more.
He said that the report of the assessment of the loss caused to life and property in the state is expected to come in the next two days. But according to the information so far, 30 people have died. 133 houses have been completely damaged and 183 houses have been partially damaged. 110 animals have died and poultry farms have also been damaged. Also, 1.60 lakh hectares of land is waterlogged. Orders have been given to the administration to assess the crop damage. Paddy sowing is also possible after the water recedes in many areas, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He said that farmers will be asked to register loss on the e-fasal Kshatipoorti and after that Girdawari will be done.
“Being humanists, we stand with all the states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and all the neighbouring states. As neighbours it becomes our responsibility to help everyone in this tough time.