RECTIFICATION
OF INDUS WATER TREATY
RAJYA SABHA
During
the meeting, no discussions were held on the sharing of water
between India and Pakistan. In the said meeting, India had agreed
to consider Pakistan’s requests for the Permanent Indus Commission
(PIC) to undertake two tours, one in India and another in Pakistan
and to have a meeting in Pakistan within three months following
the 87th meeting with a view to endeavour to resolve
the questions regarding the Baglihar Hydro-electric Plant on the
Chenab Main in Jammu & Kashmir by agreement. India also agreed
to consider Pakistan’s request for communication of flood flows
information by India to Pakistan during the monsoon period from
1st July to 10th October, 2002 and Pakistan’s
offer of reimbursement of costs for such communication during
2001 and 2002, and convey its views. The PIC also finalised its
Annual Report on its work for the year ended on 31st
March, 2002 and the Records of its 86th and 87th
meetings.
Limited
utilisastion of the waters of the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum
and Chenab) as permitted to India by the Treaty is often being
constructed as disadvantageous to India.
Through
the Treaty does not have an exit clause, it provides for modification
of its provision by a duly ratified treaty concluded for the purpose
between the two Governments. Keeping also in view that the Treaty
has provided for certain specified uses of the waters of the Western
Rivers by India, the matter could be taken up with Pakistan as
and when needed.
This
information was given by the Union Minister of State for Water
Resources, Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty in a written reply to a question
from Shri K. Rahman Khan in the Rajya Sabha today.
