J&K CM’s Remark on Water Sharing Unreasonable: Akali Dal Leader
The recent remark made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the sharing of water with Punjab has sparked a controversy. Abdullah stated that his government will not share any water with Punjab, which has led to a strong reaction from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Singh Cheema. In this blog post, we will delve into the issue and explore the reasons behind Cheema’s criticism.
Background of the Issue
The issue of water sharing between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab dates back to the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960. The treaty was brokered by the World Bank and aimed to resolve the water disputes between India and Pakistan. According to the treaty, the waters of the Indus Basin, which includes the rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Sutlej, would be shared between the two countries. The treaty also established the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) to resolve any disputes that may arise in the future.
In recent years, there have been several instances of water disputes between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. In 2016, the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of not sharing the waters of the Ravi River as per the agreement. The dispute was resolved after the intervention of the Centre and the PIC.
The Recent Remark
On April 18, 2022, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made a remark that has sparked a controversy. Abdullah stated that his government will not share any water with Punjab, citing that the neighboring state has not been sharing the waters of the Ravi River as per the agreement. The statement was made during a meeting with a delegation of sarpanchs (village heads) from the Poonch district.
The remark was seen as a reaction to the long-standing dispute between the two states over the sharing of river waters. The Jammu and Kashmir government has been accusing Punjab of not releasing the waters of the Ravi River as per the agreement, which has led to a shortage of water in the Chenab River.
Criticism from SAD Leader
The remark made by Abdullah has been criticized by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Singh Cheema. Cheema, who is also the Chairman of the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, said that Abdullah’s statement was “unreasonable” and “unbecoming” of a Chief Minister. Cheema added that the Jammu and Kashmir government was not willing to work together with Punjab to resolve the issue.
“We did not expect him to comment on Punjab, as river water distribution has earlier also been in favour of other states like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi,” Cheema said in a statement. “The Jammu and Kashmir government should focus on resolving the issue with Punjab rather than making unreasonable statements.”
Cheema also accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of not doing enough to resolve the issue. “The Jammu and Kashmir government has not taken any concrete steps to resolve the issue. They have been making statements but not taking any action,” he said.
Implications of the Remark
The remark made by Abdullah has implications for the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The two states have a long-standing dispute over the sharing of river waters, and the remark has added to the tension. The issue is not only about water sharing but also about the economic viability of the two states. The Ravi River is a vital source of water for both states, and any dispute over its sharing can have far-reaching consequences.
The remark has also raised questions about the role of the Centre in resolving the issue. The Centre has been accused of not doing enough to resolve the dispute, and the remark has added to the criticism. The Centre has been urging both states to resolve the issue through negotiations, but so far, no concrete solution has been found.
Conclusion
The recent remark made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the sharing of water with Punjab has sparked a controversy. The remark has been criticized by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Singh Cheema, who has accused Abdullah of making an “unreasonable” and “unbecoming” statement. The issue of water sharing between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab is a complex one, and any solution will require cooperation and compromise from both states.
In the meantime, the Centre needs to play a more proactive role in resolving the issue. The Centre has been urging both states to resolve the issue through negotiations, but so far, no concrete solution has been found. The Centre needs to take concrete steps to resolve the issue, which will require a comprehensive and inclusive approach.
