Won’t allow flow of J&K’s water to Punjab: CM Omar
Jammu, Jun 20: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday declared that he would not permit (the proposed plan of) supply of surplus water, out of three western rivers in J&K, to Punjab and other states, after the Indus Water Treaty was put in abeyance.
He said that the water would be first used to meet the needs of J&K besides the work on Tulbul barrage should resume soon.
He was responding to questions during an interaction with the select media after inaugurating ìRaabitaî ñ the Chief Ministerís Public Service and outreach office in Jammu.
When asked about his comment on the proposed 113-km long canal for supplying surplus water to Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan from three western rivers of the Indus Water Treaty in J&K after the treaty was put in abeyance, CM Omar said, ìNone would give. At least I will not permit it at this moment. Firstly, we should be allowed to use our water to meet our pressing needs then we will talk about others.î
ìHere, Jammu is facing a drought. Here water taps have run dry. Why should I send water to Punjab, which already has three rivers under the Indus Water Treaty? Did Punjab give us water? We were desperate for water and for the completion of the Ujh Multi-Purpose project and Shahpur Kandi barrage. For years, they literally made us cry. After a protracted fight, we could somehow finish the Shahpur Kandi project. For the time being, this water belongs to us and we will use it to meet our needs,î he said.
In the same breath, he said, ìJ&K government has two main points; firstly, the work on Tulbul navigation barrage should resume soon and secondly we should talk about pumping (Chenab) water from Akhnoor to Jammu city.î
About queries about the Iran-Israel war, the Chief Minister stated that war, anywhere, was not good for anyone.
ìIíve failed to understand what cause Iran has given to Israel to attack it. Two months ago the US Intelligence chief had stated that Iran was nowhere close to making a nuclear bomb. Then what changed in the following two months that Israel attacked Iran? This should stop immediately. We too are affected by their war. Around 1300-1400 our children are stuck there,î he pointed out.
With regard to the evacuation of J&K students, he said, ìWe are evacuating them one by one. Ninety have been evacuated. 400 have been safely relocated to Mashhad. The process is on to evacuate around 6000 Indian students out of whom 1400-1600 are J&K students.
Regarding the controversy about buses sent to Delhi to bring students back to J&K, he said that the officials concerned were directed to be careful about it in future. ìThe issue was resolved as new buses were sent after the issue was brought to our notice. They are home safely,î the Chief Minister said.
He refused to comment on Congress leader Shashi Tharoorís statement about ìdifference of opinion with the party leadership.î
ìThis is Congressí internal matter. Donít ask,î he said.
