Omar Abdullah is Right on IWT

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is right when he says that the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) restricts the ability of Jammu and Kashmir to harness its huge hydropower potential due to storage constraints. This treaty signed in 1960 divides the rivers between India and Pakistan. India is allotted the waters of Ravi, Satluj and Beas and Pakistan has control over Jhelum, Chenab and Indus. India has been sending notices to Pakistan underlining various concerns that include the demographic change besides the environmental issues to reassess the IWT in its current form. Experts of the IWT have been suggesting the reassessment of the various articles as these articles are affecting the Indian interests. Genesis of the IWT can be traced back to 1947 when India was partitioned and Pakistan was created. Both the countries are dependent on the waters that flow from the Himalayas and form the basis of the treaty. Both the nations are dependent on the river systems for the agricultural activities and irrigation. There is an urgent need to have a relook on the IWT so that there is equitable distribution of water between the two nations. If Punjab is affected due to the disproportionate water supply in terms of agriculture then Jammu and Kashmir is losing enormous electricity that can be generated from the river system that comes under the treaty as pointed out by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. While speaking at the Conference of Power Ministers of States and UTs in New Delhi, he has rightly pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation is very low and lands people in darkness. In fact, the Chief Minister was absolutely right when he said that the limiting clauses in the treaty restrict Jammu and Kashmir from realising the full hydro power potential as these clauses allow only using run-off-the river projects. He substantiated this by saying that “Hydel power is J&K’s only viable energy source. The region relies on power imports from other states, adversely impacting its economy.” He also suggested to address this issue the UT would require a special compensation from the Centre that includes the viability funding and equity assistance to harness the untapped hydro-electricity potential. Omar Abdullah must be appreciated for raising the issue of the region’s energy needs and national clean energy goals. There is utmost need to re-visit the IWT to address the energy deficit in Jammu and Kashmir. It has had a severe impact on the industrial growth as the energy deficiency has led to non-compliance of supply and demand for the industries. Otherwise the industrial production in Jammu and Kashmir can be second to none. There is a paradoxical situation in the IWT that binds India and stops it from using its own waters, which eventually makes Jammu and Kashmir suffer in terms of energy demands. Pakistan is entitled to use the waters of Jhelum, Chenab and Indus rivers. And these rivers are controlled by India. What is more strange is that India has access to approximately 20 percent of total water covered in the treaty and Pakistan has access to 80 per cent of water as per this treaty. It is this percentage of water allocation that stares India in the face. This discrimination ultimately ends in making Jammu and Kashmir as power deficient. No doubt there are geo-political implications of this treaty that are more nuanced and need to be discussed separately. But at present the IWT must be given a relook as people of Jammu and Kashmir are being held hostage by the clauses that give benefit to Pakistan at the cost of the interests of the people in UT.