The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and three provinces - Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan - on Saturday did not agree with Punjab's claim that the country would face over 50 percent water shortage, instead of 47 percent, during the current Rabi season. The Irsa technical committee, which met here on Saturday with Aman Gul Khattak in the chair, rejected Punjab's shortage figures, regulatory body sources said.
They said that Irsa, Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan were unanimous that country has the 47 percent water shortage, and it would be the same by March 31, 2005. However, Punjab was of the view that the country has over 50 percent water shortage and Irsa should make water distribution plan based on 50 percent water shortage. Sources said that Irsa did not agree with Punjab's version and rejected it.
They said that Wapda submitted its plan for hydel generation with Irsa during the meeting, but Irsa told the Wapda rep in clear words that it (Irsa) would release water from dams as per irrigation requirements of the federating units and would not allow Wapda to release water for the purpose of hydel generation, at any cost. "Punjab and Sindh have already announced their canal closure plans and during that particular period, Wapda wanted to release water for power generation which Irsa rejected," they added.
Irsa's technical committee meeting also reviewed water situation for the balance Rabi 2004-05 season, which means from December 11, 2004 to March 31, 2005.
Sources said that during the period from December 11 to March 31, Punjab would utilise 5.078 million acre-feet water, Sindh would consume 3.255 MAF, NWFP 0.401 MAF and Balochistan 0.646 MAF water. Thus, the country would have total available water of 9.380 MAF during the said period.
Sources said that Sindh has submitted its plan for balance Rabi period as per the share allocated by Irsa. However, the represented of Punjab in the meeting said that previous plan of Punjab province was within the share allocated by Irsa.