Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today assured the Assembly that the state would get its due share of water from the Ravi and Beas rivers.
Describing Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal as the lifeline of the state, Hooda said his "government is committed to get its share of Ravi-Beas waters".
Replying to the debate on the Governor's address during the ongoing budget session, the Chief Minister slammed the opposition parties, mainly the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), for "doing politics on the water issue".
He said to ensure judicious distribution of canal water, Bhakra Main Line Hansi Butana canal had been constructed at a cost of Rs 392 crore. Efforts were being made to resolve legal issues in this regard, Hooda said in his 75-minute reply.
Barring three BJP MLAs there was virtually no opposition member present in the House when the Chief Minister was giving his reply. Twenty-five INLD MLAs had been suspended yesterday for their unruly behaviour. Two other INLD MLAs today staged a walkout from the Assembly.
Hooda said politics was done on Hansi Butana canal. "INLD has created obstacles in the functioning of this canal. This shows that INLD has nothing to do with the interest of the farmers and the common man," he claimed.
The Chief Minister said as the result of strong advocacy by his government, the Kishau dam on Yamuna river, Renuka dam and Lakhwar Vyasi dam had been declared as national projects.
These dams would not only ensure irrigation in dry areas of the state, but would also meet the requirement of drinking water, he said.
The Haryana Chief Minister also criticised INLD for allegedly spreading canards about land deals during the Congress regime, and charged the opposition with "misleading" the people about land allotments in the state.
"Not even a single inch of land has been given to any developer by the government... I am saying this on the floor of the House. If they think I am not speaking facts, they are free to bring privilege motion against me," Hooda said.
The Chief Minister listed a number of achievements of his government on various fronts, and said 2014 was being observed as the year of "inclusive growth".
Welfare schemes amounting to Rs 3,000 crore have been launched for all sections of the society from January 1 this year, he said.
Hooda said Haryana was at 14th position in terms of per capita income in 2005, but now it is at number one. "In the year 2004-05, the plan budget of the state was Rs 2,305 crore.
It has increased 13 times to Rs 27,072 crore in 2013-14," the Chief Minister said.