Source : The Hindu Date : 17.06.2009
Rajasthan demands its full water share from Punjab
Special Correspondent
JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday took strong exception to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) reducing the State’s share of the water released from the Harike barrage in neighbouring Punjab by 2,670 cusecs and demanded release of the full quantity of water to the feeders serving the State.
In separate letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Mr. Gehlot pointed out that the reduction in the supply of water to Rajasthan and its utilisation in Punjab was damaging the crops in the canal areas of Rajasthan and had led to strong resentment among farmers in the region.
Mr. Gehlot requested the Prime Minister to direct the BBMB to immediately release Rajasthan’s full share from the barrage, which is under the Punjab Government’s control. He noted that the BBMB, which functions under the Union Power Ministry, was itself finding it difficult to ensure release of water because of the Punjab Government being in command of the barrage.
The BBMB had decided to release 19,000 cusecs of water to Punjab and Rajasthan from the Harike barrage during June and is at present releasing 15,000 cusecs from the dam. Against the share of 9,770 cusecs allocated to Rajasthan in this water, Punjab is releasing only 7,100 cusecs.
Mr. Gehlot pointed out that only 6,000 cusecs of water against the State’s share of 8,370 cusecs was presently being released through the Indira Gandhi feeder, while 1,100 cusecs of water against the share of 1,400 cusecs was being released to the Ferozepur feeder for the Gang Canal.
