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News: Neutral Expert, appointed by the World Bank under the Indus Water Treaty 1960, has upheld India’s stand after questions were raised in relation to the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects.
About Indus Water Treaty
- It was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.
- The treaty allocates the Western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum) to Pakistan and Eastern rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej) to India.
- However, India can utilise the waters of western rivers for certain non-consumptive, agricultural, domestic and power generation purpose.
- India controls about 20% of the total water of the Indus system, while Pakistan gets about 80%.
- The treaty provides for 3 step dispute resolution mechanisms:
- Permanent Commission- The disputes can be resolved at the Permanent Commission or can be taken up at the inter-governmental level.
- Neutral Expert- If the disputes are unresolved, the countries can approach the World bank appointed Neutral Expert.
- Court of Arbitration- If either party is not satisfied with the Neutral Expert’s decision, the matter is referred to a Court of Arbitration.
- There has been disagreement between India and Pakistan over the design features of:
- Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project (constructed on Kishanganga river, a tributary of Jhelum River)
- Ratle Hydroelectric Project (constructed on Chenab River).
