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Friday, May 06, 2005

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`Punjab should review decision'

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The former Rajasthan Chief Minister and presently Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot has asked the Congress-led Punjab Government to abide by the directive of the High Court on the Bhakra-Beas Management Board and review its decision to approach the Supreme Court with an appeal.

"This is a golden opportunity for the Punjab Chief Minister to facilitate a just distribution of the waters of the Bhakra-Beas rivers among Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The State should take advantage of the court ruling and get rid of its past image as the one which withheld others' share,'' Mr.Gehlot said talking to a group of newspersons here on Thursday. Mr.Gehlot who hailed the Rajasthan High Court's order this Monday that the Central Government should divest Punjab of the control of the administration and operation of the irrigation works and headworks of the Bhakra and Beas and hand them over to BBMB, said the directive was in tune with the aspirations of crores of farmers in the concerned States.

"This is the time for Punjab to create an atmosphere of goodwill and provide a representation in the administration of BBMB to the other three States as well. The presence of other States in BBMB will help Punjab to get rid of the charge of being partisan in water sharing,'' Mr.Gehlot noted. "It is also a rare opportunity for Rajasthan as well,'' Mr.Gehlot said asking the Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje to "take advantage of the situation''.

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