Khattar says Punjab's contention on Ravi-Beas waters not correct

CHANDIGARH: Haryana has contended that the riparian principle in case of Ravi-Beas waters does not apply and that Punjab's contention on the issue was not correct.
The state has sought early hearing on the presidential reference on validity of Punjab Termination of Agreements Act of 2004, which has been lying pending with the Supreme Court for nearly 10 years.This was stated by Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar at the 27th meeting of northern zonal council in New Delhi on Saturday.
The CM said that surplus Ravi-Beas waters were distributed by the government of India between different states as the waters of these rivers came in for exclusive use by India after signing of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.
"Punjab, along with other states, was allocated surplus Ravi-Beas waters by the Indian government, in addition to its existing utilization, on account of its then large arid areas, which now form a part of Haryana. Therefore, the riparian principle of sharing of surplus waters of Ravi and Beas does not apply in this case and the contention of the Punjab that these waters belong to it only, was not correct," he added.
Khattar further stated that Haryana was a water deficit state with respect to both surface and ground water resources. He said that groundwater level in the state, particularly in the fresh water zone, was depleting fast due to inevitable exploitation of groundwater. "As against the annual demand of 36 million acre feet (MAF), the availability of water is only 14 MAF. On one hand the state had to give, out of its own share in the Yamuna waters, extra water to Delhi in compliance with the apex court's orders and on the other hand, Punjab is not delivering Haryana's full share in the Ravi-Beas waters," he said.
'Ready to resolve hydel power sharing issue'
The CM on Saturday said that Haryana was ready to resolve the issue of sharing of power from the Anandpur Sahib hydel project, Mukerian hydel project, Thein Dam project and UBDC stage-II, either under the aegis of Northern Zonal Council or through bilateral deliberations. However, he said, "We also feel that the ministry of power should refer the matter to the Supreme Court as consensus is not emerging." He said the state had been claiming its share of power from these projects. For Shahpur Kandi hydel scheme, Haryana has filed a suit in the Supreme Court as Punjab is not agreeing to its claim.
'Punjab made Hansi-Butana defunct'
Khattar said that work on Hansi-Butana canal was started by the state government to carry water from Bhakra main line (BML) canal out of state's own share in the Ravi-Beas waters to the lift canal command and supply it to the dry and arid southern Haryana for equitable distribution of available water. "The project was cleared by the Central Water Commission from all angles, but the canal was rendered non-functional due to a suit filed by Punjab," he added.