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.

Haryana came into existence under the provisions of Section 3 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The Act provided for several measures to give effect to the reorganisation of Punjab into the States of Punjab and Haryana, the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the then Union Territory of Himachal Pradesh.

The resolution read: “The right of Haryana to share waters of Ravi and Beas rivers by the construction of the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) is historically, legally, judicially and constitutionally established over time. This august house has unanimously on at least seven occasions passed resolutions urging the early completion of the SYL canal. Several agreements, accords, Tribunal’s findings and judgments of the highest judiciary of the nation have all singularly upheld the claim of Haryana to the waters and directed the completion of the SYL canal. In defiance and contrary to these directions and agreements, legislations were enacted by Punjab to deny the rightful claims of the State of Haryana.”

It added: “The Indira Gandhi Agreement, the Rajiv Longowal Accord and the Venkatramaiah Commission have accepted the claim of Haryana to Hindi-speaking areas that fall within the territory of the State of Punjab. The transfer of Hindi speaking villages from Punjab to Haryana has also not been completed. This house notes with concern the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly of Punjab on 1st April, 2022 recommending that the matter for transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab be taken up with the Central Government. This is not acceptable to the people of Haryana. Haryana continues to retain its right to the Capital Territory of Chandigarh. Moreover, this house has in the past passed resolutions for a separate High Court in the State of Haryana in Chandigarh in accordance with constitutional provisions.”

The resolution pointed out that the recent amendment in the rules of the Bhakra Beas Management Board by the Central government for the appointment of whole-time members goes against the spirit of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which treats river projects as common assets of the successor States of Punjab and Haryana.

The resolution said: “Under these circumstances, this house resolves to 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. This house also urges the Central government to take measures for the construction of the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The house also urges the Central government to prevail upon the State of Punjab to withdraw its case and permit the Hansi-Butana canal to be able carry waters to water deficient areas of the State of Haryana and equitable distribution. The house also urges the Central government to ensure that the proportion earmarked for officers from the Government of Haryana to serve in the administration of the Union Territory of Chandigarh is continued in the same proportion as when the reorganisation of Punjab was envisaged.”