Sometime back Punjab Chief Minister, in a communication to J&K Chief Minister had indicated his Government’s willingness to open a conciliatory dialogue on the disputed Shahpur Kandi Dam project which had remained stalled after the Thien Dam on Ravi was completed in the year 2000. The reason why construction work on Shahpur Kandi Dam Project came to a halt was that Punjab Government terminated the agreement of 1979 by passing Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004. Ever since, dispute over the project between the two Northern States continued till date. Now a formal letter has been sent by the Punjab Government suggesting that a fresh agreement could be signed between the two states that would put an end to the long dispute. We are happy to know that the Punjab Chief Minister has shown great munificence and agreed to sign a new agreement and thereby let thousands of farmers in Kathua and Samba districts benefit from the water that will flow in the canal and irrigate their farms.
Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to initiate proper technical and legal study of the proposal for new agreement. It has been carefully studied by a committee of senior officers of concerned departments and after their approval was obtained the matter has now gone to the Law Department which has to vet it and return to the committee for final approval of the cabinet.
We welcome the generous and cooperative attitude of Punjab Chief Minister. Mufti Sayeed has very rightly said that the opportunity of finding a lasting solution to the dispute should not be lost. This has raised hopes with thousands of farmers whose lands will be irrigated for cultivation. Although the fresh pact will be almost along the lines of 1979 agreement yet the State Government intends to incorporate some more safeguards especially of arbitration in case of any disagreement in future. Hopefully the acceptance of the draft proposal for agreement along with some modifications will be sent back to Punjab Government shortly for finalizing the matter.
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