Patiala MP for distribution of water as per riparian rules

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 27

Rejecting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s subtle advocacy of right of other states over Punjab river waters, Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi reminded the Prime Minister that as per the internationally accepted Riparian rights, the waters belonged to the states where the river flows. He said neither the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas flow through Haryana or Rajasthan nor did they belong to Indus River Basin.

Before the Partition, state of Bikaner paid for the water it drew from Hussainiwala through Gang Canal as the British Viceroy took a clear view that Bikaner was not a riparian state. And this practice continued well till 1948, he added.

Dr Dharamvira said Rajasthan and Haryana were unnecessarily made out to be a party and the issue was being presented as an ‘inter-state dispute’. Only Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal and Punjab had the right over the waters of these rivers, he added. The Centre too was needlessly poking its nose into it. He demanded that the Sections 78, 79 and 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, be amended to bring it in line with the riparian rights over the river waters.

Dr Gandhi said had the Punjab state in 1948 not stopped water flowing to Pakistan, the Indian government would not have woken up and water continued to flow to Pakistan and Indus Water Treaty not signed. The daring step by Punjab was, however, awarded with depriving Punjab of its waters by giving it free to Rajasthan and Delhi.

Dr Dharamvira also blamed the successive Congress and SAD governments for the loss of Canal irrigation in Punjab and condemned the total silence of Badals on the river water issue in the presence of the Prime Minister and said this had totally exposed their reneges on Punjab.