SYL won’t become a reality, says Parkash Singh Badal

A day after the Supreme Court ordered status quo on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) issue, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal asserted that the canal will never become a reality.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the state-of-the-art temple-cum-panorama complex at the Ram Tirath here on Thursday, he said, “At this pious place, I take a vow that I will make any sacrifice for protecting waters… and won’t allow a single drop to go out (of Punjab).”
He added, “All of us should take a pledge on this sacred place to protect the river waters of the state at any cost. Water is equated with father and nobody will tolerate if his father is attacked.”
The CM said the state government on its part has already denotified the land acquired for the SYL canal and returned it to the original owners and their lineal descendents.
Earlier, he said the Rs 200-crore temple-cum-panorama at the Ram Tirath was a “humble tribute” by the state government to Bhagwan Valmiki, who had preached the message of equality and universal brotherhood on this sacred land.
Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal talked about his vision for the next five years under which 10 lakh youths would be provided employment.
In his address, Union minister of state and state BJP chief Vijay Sampla said the weaker and underprivileged sections of society would be indebted to the CM who had taken the step to perpetuate the glorious legacy of Bhagwan Valmiki.
Besides various cabinet ministers and MLAs of the SAD-BJP alliance, Dalit Vikas Board chairman Vijay Danav was also present.
BADAL WAITS FOR CROWD
Badal had to wait for almost two hours on the back side of the stage as the venue for the rally was almost deserted when he arrived. As there were too many empty chairs, politicians and even top police officials were seen making efforts to ensure that people move into the pandal quickly. Though the CM had arrived there at 11 am, he finally walked on to the stage at around 1pm when the gathering swelled.