Water has become a precious commodity. Rivers flow down through several states. People in these States would want to make the maximum use of the precious commodity. But things cannot happen just according to their wishes. There has to be just distribution of water, a commodity on which our life depends. However the rights of the riparian states, meaning the state within whose territory rivers rise, enjoy some privileges that have to be conceded to them. Keeping in view the importance of water resource for sustenance of human, animal and plant life, we have internationally accepted rules for utilization of water by downstream regions or states.
In regard to water resource, our State has very comfortable position. Four major rivers of Northern India namely Indus, Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rise and pass through our State. It entitles us to water management and utilization on a fairly large but just and equitable scale with other contiguous states. We have had some problem with the neighbouring Punjab State in this regard and it was on two counts, the Thein Dam and proposed Shapur Kandi project on River Ravi. In essence the question was about J&K’s share of water from Ravi as per the agreement between the two States. It will be recalled that in 2004, Punjab Government enacted a law vide Punjab Termination of Agreement Act. It entitled Punjab to set aside the agreements it had signed on water sharing with neighbouring states from its rivers. Punjab Government authorities applied this law to J&K State as well which the latter believed was unjustified and should be revoked. Application of the Act to J&K deprived large segments of Jammu region, through which Ravi flows, of water for irrigation as well as for drinking purposes.
In a recently held meeting between the teams from the Punjab and J&K Governments under the leadership of respective Chief Secretaries, an understanding is reported to have been reached at and amicable solutions to the irritants have been found. This is to the relief and happiness of the agriculturists in Jammu region who had been adversely affected for a long time. It has been formally accepted by the Punjab Government that J&K being a riparian state, will not come under the Termination of Agreement Act. In other words it means that J&K State will be allowed the quantum of water from Ravi for irrigation purposes as was the practice prior to the application of the Act. Thus the agreement concluded by the Punjab Government with two riparian states namely Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir will remain intact. Chief Secretary Punjab agreed to allow the stipulated quantum of water from Ravi for Rabi and Kharif seasons to J&K. This is good news and Punjab Chief Secretary has called it a gesture for building confidence between the two neighbouring States. Giving practical shape to this understanding, Punjab Chief Secretary proposed that their Government will nominate a Nodal Officer who will ensure release of water from the Thein Dam for the Basantpur and Lakhanpur lift irrigation stations downstream. That marks the resolution of Thein Dam issue which had been hanging fire for a long time.
The other issue of Shapur Kandi Barrage Project was also discussed by the two teams. Each side presented its view of the case. As the discussion proceeded in a very friendly and positive note, the meeting decided that the design of the project had to be subjected to scrutiny and approval by the technical agency before any decision was taken. It was, therefore, decided that the two Governments would do the technical appraisal of the design to ascertain the viability of the existing design. Concerned engineering authorities would submit their report to the two Governments by June this year.
We are happy that a long standing dispute with the Punjab Government over a crucial issue has been resolved amicably and to the interests of both the States. Punjab has been also very friendly and cooperative to our State especially whenever we needed any assistance. We have been purchasing electricity from Punjab and we have close commercial and cultural relations with the people in that State. Good and friendly relations with Punjab are of vital importance to the development of our State and as such we value the goodwill shown by the Punjab Government delegation during the talks on resolving water dispute. We can say that the type of successful negotiations between the two delegations could become a model for other States as well that are bogged with water distribution anomalies and disputes. They can take a cue from the way Punjab and J&K delegations negotiated an agreement.
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