Delhi CM Dikshit urges Haryana to resolve water-sharing discord

Amritsar - Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has expressed disappointment with authorities in Haryana for not being able to resolve the discord over water sharing, which has become a contentious issue for both governments.

Addressing journalists in the Golden Temple premises in Amritsar, Dikshit said: "We had given about 650 crores (6.5 billion), on the insistence of the Haryana government, to construct a canal, but it is not in a good condition and we are unable to get water. We spent a lot of money and in fact, we gave them all the money to buy the land. Now, they are saying that we have been supplying water and this is not your canal, so we are very disappointed. You all know that the population in Delhi keeps rising and we began this programme about eight to nine years ago from Haryana only, because we had to think of the future as well."

Dikshit said that she was glad to visit the Golden Temple after a hiatus and expressed hope that the feeling of mental peace and tranquillity is passed on to the capital as well.

"It was really good to visit the Golden Temple. The last time I came was during the Commonwealth Games, so I have come here after a long time. But, whenever I come here, I get a lot of mental peace and strength. I hope that this feeling is passed on to Delhi as well," she said.

Dikshit added that the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee in Delhi had made provisions to set up rooms for visitors from Delhi, so as to ensure that they had a comfortable stay.

"Since a lot of people come to the Golden Temple from Delhi each year, they used to face problems to get accommodation. So, the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee in Delhi has made efforts to construct about 90 rooms, halls, some of them are air conditioned, others are not. This will ensure that the Delhi visitors have a comfortable stay," she said.

The temple authorities stepped up efforts to make sure that the tourists and other locals were provided all the facilities.