Srinagar, June 20 -- Omar made it clear that no permission will be given as of now for any proposal to build a canal to divert surplus water to other states.

"Nobody will give it (approval). As of now, I am not going to give approval to it. Let us be allowed to use our water first, then we will talk about others," Omar said.

He was replying to a question on the central government's proposed construction of a 113-km canal to transfer surplus water from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to prevent it from flowing to neighbouring Pakistan.

"Right now, Jammu is facing water scarcity. There is no water in the taps. Why should I send water to Punjab? Punjab already has three rivers as per the Indus Water Treaty. Has Punjab ...