Title: J&K CM’s remark on water sharing unreasonable: Akali Dal leader
The recent statement made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that he would not share any water with Punjab has sparked a heated debate in the region. The remark has been strongly criticized by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema, who has called it “unreasonable” and “unjustified”.
In an interview with a leading news agency, Cheema expressed surprise at Abdullah’s comment, saying that he did not expect the J&K CM to make such a statement. “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,” he added.
Cheema’s remarks come as a response to Abdullah’s statement earlier this week, where he stated that J&K would not share any water with Punjab, citing the state’s own water requirements and the need to prioritize its own development. Abdullah’s statement was met with widespread criticism from various quarters, with many seeing it as a departure from the traditional spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between the two states.
The Akali Dal leader, however, has taken a more nuanced approach to the issue, acknowledging the need for a more balanced and equitable distribution of water resources in the region. “We understand that J&K has its own water requirements, but we also believe that the state’s water resources are not limited to its own needs,” Cheema said. “There are other states that also require water for their development, and we believe that the water should be shared in a more balanced and equitable manner.”
Cheema’s comments are not without merit. The Indus Waters Treaty, which was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, provides for the distribution of waters from the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. While the treaty does provide for some sharing of water between the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, it is clear that the water requirements of these states are not limited to their own needs.
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the impact of climate change on the region’s water resources. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have led to increased uncertainty and unpredictability in the region’s water supply, making it even more important to adopt a more flexible and adaptive approach to water management.
Cheema’s call for a more balanced and equitable distribution of water resources is, therefore, timely and necessary. It is essential that the governments of J&K and Punjab, as well as other states in the region, work together to find a solution that takes into account the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.
In conclusion, the remark made by J&K CM Omar Abdullah that he would not share any water with Punjab is, in the opinion of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema, “unreasonable” and “unjustified”. Cheema’s call for a more balanced and equitable distribution of water resources is a welcome development, and one that should be taken seriously by all stakeholders in the region.
News Source: https://x.com/ANI/status/1935953245043933487
