M A I N   N E W S

Punjab to host CMs’ meet; water share high on agenda
Naveen S Garewal/TNS

Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir will attend the meeting whereas the UT Administrator will represent Chandigarh. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will be the chief guest for the event to be held at Hotel Mountview here.

Up for discussion n The Hansi Butana Canal and flow of water from Jhajjar; both have been bones of contention between Punjab and Haryana n Punjab is also expected to take up with the Union Home Minister the issue of posting of officers in Chandigarh on a 60:40 ratio n Himachal, which wants cess on power it produces and supplies to neighbouring states, is likely to raise the issue again n Rajasthan and Delhi expected to reiterate their demand for more water from Bhakra n Methods of better information-sharing on terror between the Northern states

Punjab is expected to raise the issue of water distribution with Haryana. The Hansi Butana Canal and flow of water from Jhajjar have been bones of contention between the two states.

Punjab is also expected to take up with the Union Home Minister the issue of posting of officers in Chandigarh in 60:40 ratio, as per the original agreement. Since the UT Advisor will represent Chandigarh in the conference, the three states could reach some agreement.

Himachal, which has been demanding cess on production of electricity produced there and supplied to neighbouring states, is likely to raise the issue again. At the same time, Rajasthan has always demanded more water from Bhakra as has Delhi. The chief ministers could discuss this issue as well.

There is also a proposal to discuss methods of better information sharing between the Northern states since Jammu and Kashmir faces a direct onslaught of terror, which has a direct bearing on adjoining Himachal and Punjab. Both Punjab and Rajasthan share the International Border with Pakistan and it is imperative for all regional states to share information on law and order to curb crime and anti-national activities.

Chidambaram is likely to give an overview of the security situation in the country and the progress on various security-related aspects. He has in the past expressed confidence that the situation in J&K will improve further.

Former Union Home Minister and UT Advisor Shivraj Patil was expected to present issues and problems relating to the Union Territory. It was initially built for 5 lakh persons, but its population has more than tripled in the last 50 years. Apart from bearing the pressure of rising population, the UT’s infrastructure is also under pressure from adjoining towns and cities.