New Delhi, July 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said J&K had suffered a whopping more than `8000 crore loss on various counts after construction of Shahpur Kandi Barrage.
 He said: “Consequent upon Punjab procrastinating for decades together for providing 0.475 of gravity water into Ravi Canal for irrigation purposes after constructing the Shahpur Kandi Barrage, our state has suffered a loss of more that `8000 crore on various counts.”
 The CM was addressing the National Development Council (NDC) meeting here.
 “A link canal talking off from the upstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam near village Satwain in now proposed to be constructed by us. The construction of the Link Canal is estimated to cost around `550 crore,” Omar said, adding that the government looked to the central government to fund this investment to compensate “us in some measure for the huge loss suffered by us for no fault of ours.”
 Omar said: “My state continues to be put to untold hardships and disadvantages on account of the discriminatory provisions contained in the Indus Water Treaty.”
 “We have not been compensated for this loss despite the intent to do so; as expressed on several occasions. The Working Group on the Economic Development of J&K constituted by the Prime Minister had, interalia, recommended transfer of Dul Hasti HEP (390 MW) to the state. The recommendation still remains unimplemented,” he said.
 The CM said: “I also deem it necessary to reiterate our request for the enhancement of the quantum of free power (Home State Share) available from the Central Generating Stations set up within the State, to a minimum of 25 per cent against the present free power of 12 percent.

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