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New Delhi : A delegation of farmers and public representatives from Rajasthan representing Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh led by Lok Sabha MP from Ganganagar Nihal Chand Chauhan called on Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat here on December 13, 2019.
Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, was also present. The delegation highlighted the farmers’ plight due to low supply of water in the Rajasthan and Ganga canals.
Chairman, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Devendra Kumar Sharma, said the water flow has been maintained at the prescribed 1,301 cusecs level even during the peak summer months as on May 22 every year. The delegation pointed out that the BBMB has assured more water supply demands will be met but the State Government has not put up any such proposal.
Shekhawat spoke with the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan over phone and expressed disappointment that the state’s Chief Engineer (Irrigation) did not attend today’s meeting. The Minister said the aggravating water crisis could trigger farmers’ protests as low water supply was putting their standing crops at risk. He directed the BBMB Chairman to urgently convene a meeting of the Board on December 17, 2019, and resolve the water distribution issue. Shekhawat, however, pointed out that the Central Government has made available the maximum water supply during the last three years.
The delegation included MLAs Bihari Lal Bishnoi (representing Lokha constituency), Balbir Luthra (Raisinghnagar) and Shimla Bawri (Anupgarh). Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, U P Singh, and Chairman, Central Water Commission, Rajendra Kumar Jain, also attended the meeting.
The distribution of Satluj water amongst the partner States of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan is done as per Bhakra Nangal Agreement 1959. The overall share of the Partner States is Punjab – 57.88%, Haryana – 32.31%, and Rajasthan – 9.81% and the water is being distributed accordingly to the satisfaction of partner States.
The distribution of surplus Ravi-Beas waters is done as per the Agreement among the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan on December 31, 1981. As per this agreement, the total quantum of surplus Ravi-Beas waters over and above the pre-partition utilisation has been assessed as 17.17 Million Acre Feet (MAF) on the basis of flow series for the year 1921-60 after deducting the pre-partition uses of 3.13 MAF and transit losses in Madhopur Beas Link of 0.26 MAF.
The allocation of surplus Ravi-Beas waters to the various States in accordance with this agreement is : Punjab 4.22 MAF, Haryana 3.50 MAF, Rajasthan 8.60 MAF, Delhi 0.20 MAF (Fixed), J&K 0.65 MAF (Fixed) -Total 17.17 MAF.