Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 8: A historic agreement was signed here today between the J&K Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and his Punjab counterpart Karan Avtar Singh on implementation of Shahpur Kandi Dam Project which was hanging fire for several years. The great agreement was signed in the presence of J&K Governor, Satya Pal Malik and the Minister for Water Resources, Punjab Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria. The ambitious Shahpur Kandi Dam Project on the River Ravi is a major irrigation Project which benefits both Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. J&K is entitled to 0.69 MAF of water from River Ravi of which only 0.215 MAF is being utilized by the state.
While the construction of 79.5 kms Ravi Canal and 493 kms of distribution network in J&K has been completed, the lack of progress on the Shahpur Kandi Dam Project and some disputes relating to the Thein Dam have led to non-utilization of the waters of River Ravi that J&K is entitled to.
With the signing of today's noteworthy agreement, the Project will immensely benefit the districts of Kathua and Samba besides catering to some parts of Jammu district. It will irrigate 32,000 hectares of agricultural land (80,000 acres) in the Kandi areas, upstream and downstream along the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in Samba and Kathua districts. This will ensure the prosperity of the farmers of these areas and will lead to overall development of the region. Work to commence immediately; J&K to get 20% power, assured irrigation facility for 80000
acres
As per the agreement, J&K shall be provided with full quantity of water of 1150 cusecs of water under all circumstances subject to a ceiling of 0.69 MAF water is entitled to as per the 1979 Agreement.
Other significant specifics of the agreement include that the Project will continue to be implemented by the Government of Punjab. The balance costs on account of compensation (approximately Rs 115 crore) for land acquisition in respect of Thein Dam, as per the agreement, will be paid by the Government of Punjab immediately, as per the orders of the relevant statutory authorities under the Land Acquisition Act.
Jobs to the land oustees shall be given by the Government of Punjab as per the agreed Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Policy of both the State Governments. As per the agreement, employment to remaining 861 displaced families shall be provided under this proviso.
The Government of Punjab will reiterate its commitment to construct the balance 2.3 km Ravi Canal and Siphon for the J&K Canal con-terminus with the construction of the Shahpur Kandi Dam. Accordingly, the Government of Punjab shall fully fund the construction of 2.3 km of Ravi Canal and Siphon for J&K Canal. | 