Hemani Kandhari
Jammu, April 3, 2026: The Punjab government has not fully implemented the 1979 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Jammu and Kashmir regarding the Thein Dam (now Ranjit Sagar Dam) and Shahpur Kandi Barrage, even after nearly five decades.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he will take up the matter with his Punjab counterpart and push for proper implementation of the agreement.
The MoU, signed in 1979, included a provision that Punjab would supply 20 percent of the generated power to Jammu and Kashmir. However, this has not been done so far due to lack of transmission infrastructure. The Chief Minister informed the Assembly that no electricity is currently being supplied to the Union Territory under this agreement.
The issue was raised by MLA Basohli Darshan Kumar, who also highlighted that local youth affected by the dam project are still waiting for jobs. While some employment has been given, it has been limited to lower-level clerical posts.
Another MLA, Sham Lal Sharma, said the MoU was signed during the tenure of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and Prakash Singh Badal, and stressed that Punjab must honour its commitments and properly rehabilitate affected people.
Responding to the concerns, Omar Abdullah said the agreement is a “sovereign commitment” between the two governments and assured the House that he will raise the issue with Punjab. He also added that most compensation has already been provided, and the remaining will be given once pending documentation is completed.
