Chandigarh, Sep 7 (IANS): Haryana Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma said on Wednesday that the people of the state have a right to the water of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal calls himself the son of Haryana. If he really means what he says, he should get SYL water to the state," the minister told the media here.

"If Arvind Kejriwal is so concerned about Haryana, he should fight for the rights of Haryana and get SYL canal water from Punjab. Today there is an acute shortage of water in southern Haryana. Apart from this, the state also needs water for agriculture. We should get our share of water."

The minister also said that clean water of Yamuna is being used by the Delhi government, while water from the treatment plant is being released to Haryana.

"Because of this, people of Gurugram, Faridabad, Mewat and Palwal get contaminated water. The number of cancer patients is increasing in these districts because of this contaminated water," Sharma claimed.

Responding to a question, the minister said the country and Haryana are progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

"The Chief Minister of Haryana has been working for the development of the entire state without any discrimination. There is not a single district in the state where development works are not being carried out," Sharma added.