'Will never permit': J&K CM on Indus diversion to Punjab; ally Cong fumes

NEW DELHI: The central government's plan to divert surplus water from the three western rivers of the Indus system in Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan has sparked a sharp war of words among leaders of the northern states.

Speaking of the 113 km-long canal proposed for redirecting surplus water to lower riparian states, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah objected to water diversion to Punjab and said he would "never permit" the allocation.

"I will never permit this. Let us use our water for ourselves first... There is a drought-like situation in Jammu. Why should I send water to Punjab? Punjab already had water under the Indus Water Treaty. Did they give us water when we needed it?" J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah told the news agency ANI.

Abdullah's statement did not sit well with the ally Congress, as Punjab MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa voiced his disappointment over the remark.

"By giving statements like this, he should not demean patriotism. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistanis attacked Punjab more than Jammu and Kashmir. As long as the patriotism of Punjab and its farmers remains strong, India will remain strong... I am very disappointed with his statement," said Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

Last week, home minister Amit Shah announced that Indus waters would be brought to Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar through canals "within three years," adding that the expanded irrigation network would benefit large parts of the country while Pakistan would be left "craving for every drop of water."


Sources familiar with the development said the proposed Chenab-Ravi-Beas-Sutlej link is being designed to integrate with existing canal systems at 13 locations across Jammu, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, ultimately channelling water to the Indira Gandhi Canal (Sutlej-Beas).

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