Indications were there in the month of July that the Punjab Government had done some re-thinking on Shahpur Kandi Project about which the J&K and Punjab Governments were at loggerheads for quite some time. High-level delegations on either side led by the Chief Secretaries met and deliberated over the entire issue in a cordial and friendly manner and most of outstanding and contentious issues that bedeviled relations have been resolved through mutual understanding. They have removed the cause of disagreement. Before the end of October, two sides will meet again to prepare the draft for a new agreement on Shahpur Kandi dam project. It appears that the Punjab Government has demonstrated considerable munificence in conceding some crucial demands of J&K. It has also agreed to construct siphon for discharge of 690 cusecs of water in Lakhanpur lift irrigation scheme. As far as share of power is concerned, the Punjab Government has conveyed that it would supply 20% of the generated electricity to J&K at the rate of Rs 3.50 per unit, while disclosing that the project would generate 600 Mega Watts of electricity. As such, the decision would be of immense benefit for Jammu and Kashmir. In all probability, Chief Ministers of two States could sign the fresh agreement sometimes in November this year.
Resolution of problems connected with a project that has the potential of benefiting both states in most crucial areas of agriculture and power production, is a shining example of mutual understanding and cooperation. Other states in the country bogged with bilateral problems like water and power sharing etc. could take a cue from this historic event and demonstrate the type of large heartedness the two Chief Ministers have shown. It is a tribute to the Indian federal system, which has capacity and scope for adjusting even forbidding and knotty problems without rancour and heartburns. Punjab, the granary of India is our closest neighbour. In a number of aspects, this State is far ahead of us. Goodwill and understanding between our two states will immensely benefit us more than it benefits Punjab. We can think of bilateral cooperation in many areas and thus contribute to the development of our state. Punjab can invest considerably in the areas of agriculture, horticulture, small-scale industries like fabrics, tool manufacturing, and tourism. The Shahpur Kandi Project agreement should augur well for extended cooperation between the two states in times to come.
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