MLAs concerned over ‘unjust’ division of water resources between UP, U’khand

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators of the terai belt, which possesses the largest share of irrigation department properties, are concerned over “unjust” distribution of water resources between Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand. They said they were keeping an eye over the situation and would react at right time.

BJP MLA from Champawat Kailash Gehtori said they (the terai belt legislators) are waiting for the final outcome of the chief secretary-level talks between the two states.

Uttarakhand was separated from UP in 2000. However, UP still controls many government properties that fall in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand chief minister (CM) Trivendra Singh Rawat and UP CM Yogi Adityanath recently held talks over the division of assets between the two states and things are being worked out.

Meanwhile, the reason for concern among terai belt legislators is a recent controversial statement made by UP irrigation minister Dharam Pal Singh. A week ago, Singh had said in Bareilly that UP will get “heads” of the water reservoirs and Uttarkhand will get the “tails”, which meant that the water reservoirs would remain in UP’s control.

Singh also said that the Dam Kothi of Haridwar would be given to Uttarakhand and UP will construct a new guest house in Haridwar and the Kumbh mela area of Haridwar would remain in the control of UP and the Uttarakhand government can conduct the mela when the occasion arrives. He also said that Nanak Sagar Dam, Dhaura Dam, Begul Dam, Banbasa and Sharda barrages would remain in the UP’s control and the guest house at Banbasa will also be in the control of UP.

BJP MLA from Sitarganj Saurabh Bahuguna said the asset division has not been completed and the terai belt legislators are keeping an eye on the situation. “We will surely voice our concern if there’s any injustice,” he said.

Bahuguna said that the picture would be clear only after the talks between the two chief secretaries. He said that he had talked to the Uttarakhand CM on the matter and had stressed that any asset that lies in Uttarakhand should not be governed by UP.

Pushkar Dhami, the BJP MLA from Khatima, also said the decision has still not taken place and the picture is not clear.

“We have been pressing for control of reservoirs in Begul, Sharda and Banbasa and hope that the final asset division would be to our advantage,” he said.

We (the terai belt legislators) are waiting for the final outcome of the chief secretarylevel talks (over division of water resources) between the two states KAILASH GEHTORI , BJP MLA from Champawat