Permanent Indus Commission

Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India

and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the eastern rivers — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — amounting to around 33 MAF (million acre-feet) annually is allocated to India for unrestricted use.

• The waters of western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — amounting to around 135 MAF annually are largely for Pakistan.

The right to generate hydroelectricity:

Under the Treaty, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through a run of the river projects on the western rivers subject to specific criteria for design and operation.

• It also gives the right to Pakistan to raise concerns on the design of Indian hydroelectric projects on western rivers.

Permanent Indus Commission:

• The Permanent Indus Commission is a bilateral commission of officials from India and Pakistan, created to implement and manage goals of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960.
• The Commission according to the treaty must meet regularly at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan.

The functions of the Commission are:

• to study and report to the two Governments on any problem relating to the development on the waters of the rivers.
• to solve disputes arising over water sharing.
• to arrange technical visits to projects’ sites and critical river head works.
• to undertake, once in every five years, a general tour of inspection of the Rivers for ascertaining the facts.
• to take necessary steps for the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.