Photo Credit: Indiatimes

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today demanded compensation from the Centre as Indus Waters Treaty has cost the state huge loses.

"Today, many things are being talked about. There is a talk of IWT... We are facing losses on account of IWT. We should get compensation and we cannot ask Pakistan for that but our own country. Whatever we get, be it our power projects or anything, we should get," she said at a function.

A report by International Water Management Institute (IWMI) - Tata Water Policy Programme has revealed that the Indus Waters Treaty signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 has caused Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) losses of approximately ₹6,500 crore annually.The report has stated that Jammu and Kashmir's power generation and agricultural potential has been badly hit by the treaty.

Under the Treaty, which was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960, control of three rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir -- Jhelum, Indus and Chenab -- was given to Pakistan while India was given control over Beas, Ravi and Sutlej, all passing through Punjab.

Because of the treaty, no big dams or power projects can be built by India on Jhelum, Indus or Chenab.

"There have been so many wars, but IWT wasn't touched because both the countries benefited from our resources, even as Jammu and Kashmir suffered losses," Mehbooba said while speaking at the launch of PM Ujwala Yojana.

Her remarks came two days after the Prime Minister asserted that "Blood and water cannot flow together."

Held amidst heightened tension between the India and Pakistan, the meeting also decided to set up a inter-ministerial task forces to go into the details and working of the Treaty with a "sense of urgency", senior government sources said.