New Delhi, Mar 20: Despite the ruling National Conference-Congress alliance leaders repeatedly questioning the feasibility of the Indus Water Treaty and even going to the extent of demanding a re-look into the pact, the state government has not initiated any such move with the Center so far.
No formal request has been received by the Center from the state government for renegotiating the Treaty or assess and compensate the losses accrued to the state during the last six decades. This was stated by Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Bansal in Rajya Sabha.
The Minister further said that Jammu and Kashmir gets only 0.65 MAF of water out of the total capacity of 135.6 MAF of the rivers emanating or flowing through the state. He disclosed this while replying to a question asked by G N Ratanpuri of the National Conference.
There is no specific limit on the areas to be covered by lift irrigation schemes. This is despite the fact that Annexure C of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, provides for a maximum Irrigated Cropped Area of 4,00,000 acres in Jhelum Basin for development by India. This is over and above the ICA on the effective date which is April 4, 1960.
In reply to another question, the Minister said that some areas of five districts of Kashmir namely Budgam, Islamabad (Anantnag), Kupwara, Pulwama and Bandipora are without dependable irrigation facilities presently.
Further, the state government has informed that out of total area in Jhelum Basin, 65,952 acres have been brought under irrigation through lift irrigation schemes in the Valley till date.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
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