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Punjab left with no excuse on SYL now: Chautala

By Our Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, AUG. 25. The Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, has expressed pleasure over the Supreme Court's dismissal of the review petition filed by Punjab on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and said that now it would entirely be the responsibility of the Central Government to complete the construction of the canal in Punjab territory at the earliest.

Addressing a meeting of industrialists in Bhiwani, he said now there was no hurdle to the SYL canal becoming functional. The SC verdict had come as a big relief to the people of Haryana, he added.

He cautioned that some political parties were still trying to keep the issue of SYL canal "alive'' but their ill-designs would not succeed. He made it clear that now the Punjab Government had nothing left to create hindrances in the construction of the canal. The Congress had been blaming the Haryana Government for not approaching the Supreme Court but there was no logic in this move as the Supreme Court had already delivered its verdict in favour of Haryana.

Mr. Chautala claimed that several multi-national companies had invested in Haryana during his Government's tenure. There was foreign direct investment of Rs.3,326 crores which was 60 per cent of the total FDI made in the State since its inception. More than 200 large and medium scale and about 5,000 small scale industrial units had also been set up during his time. He said the State Government was encouraging FDI as it would create ample employment opportunities for the youth. He pointed out that the Japanese companies had already made a big investment in the country.

Mr. Chautala said he had asked his Principal Secretary, B.D. Dhalia, to constitute a Committee for quick redressal of grievances of industrialists. He said representatives of various industrial associations would be part of this committee. A number of incentives had been given to the entrepreneurs and it was for the first time that power tariff had been reduced in the State. He said the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, would inaugurate the seventh unit of 250 MW at Tau Devi Lal Thermal Power Plant in Panipat on September 25.

He said the State Government was trying to redress the grievances of all sections of society. A number of incentives were also given to the traders. The rate of tax had been reduced from two per cent to one per cent on 27 items. The entertainment tax had been withdrawn and cinema tax reduced to 50 per cent. It was for the first time that a facility of self-assessment was given to those having an annual turnover of up to Rs. 5 crores.

Among others who also spoke on the occasion were the president of the Bhiwani Chamber of Commerce and Industry, K.C. Aggarwal, the president of Bhiwani Industrial Association, Dharambir Nehra, and General Manager, Bhiwani Textile Mills, Rajinder Kaushik.

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