Compensate J

Srinagar, Jul 27 (UNI) Terming the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan as ''extremely unfair'' to Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today urged the Centre to compensate the state for it and asked Pakistan also to show some flexibility on the issue.

A senior party leader and former minister Pir Mohammad Hussain said since the UPA government has won the trust vote in the Lok Sabha, it should now compensate Jammu and Kashmir for the disadvantage it has to face because of the IWT.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had voted in favour of the UPA Governemnt.

Addressing a public meeting at Pampore, Mr Hussain said, ''the IWT was extremely unfair to the state.'' He said the state should be compensated by the Centre for the disadvantage because of the treaty, which has the rights over six common rivers of India and Pakistan -- Indus, Jehlum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej.

He claimed that the PDP had always represented aspirations of the people and now when the nuclear deal between India and US was given finishing touches, the Central government should sanction five power projects to Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Hussain said development and progress was subservient to availability of adequate power and underscored the need to pay attention towards power generation in the state.

He said the industrial setup in Jammu and Kashmir still awaits to take off for want of electricity.

UNI BAS ASM SK AS1925