Kutch is not part of Indus basin, Centre tells Gujarat

“Kutch region of Gujarat is not considered to form a part of the Indus Basin as per the present available basin maps or the Irrigation Commission Report of 1972,” the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav in response to a question by Shri Vijay Kumar Rupani, Shri Natuji Halaji Thakor in the Rajya Sabha said today.

He said, “the Minister of Water Supply, Water Resources, Urban Development and Urban Housing, Government of Gujarat has written a letter dated 7th February’08 to the Union Minister of Water Resources regarding allocation of Indus water to Kutch region of Gujarat. He has referred to earlier letter dated 23rd March’04 from the Chief Minister of Gujarat in the matter and letter dated 1st August’05 from his predecessor, requesting for appropriate action by Central Government for allocation of Indus water (i.e. Ravi-Beas-Sutlej water). He has requested for an early decision.”

“The Union Minister of Water Resources has responded to the above letter on 18th March’08 indicating the water issues amongst the present beneficiary States of Eastern Rivers, some of which are before the Supreme Court including a Presidential Reference on the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004 enacted by Punjab Vidhan Sabha, whose outcome is awaited. Under the circumstances, till the existing issues get resolved and the present beneficiary States are in a apposition to spare some water, it might not be appropriate to open any issue for reallocation of water,” the minister said.