Opposition Slams Odisha Govt Over Mahanadi Water Issue

Bhubaneswar: Mounting a scathing attack on Odisha’s BJD government in the Assembly on Tuesday, opposition BJP and  Congress sought detailed information on the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh.

Raising the issue during zero hour, BJP stalwart and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jayanarayan Mishra said though two House committees had formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister and the Speaker to discuss the Mahanadi issue, no one knows what happened to these panels.

The BJP legislator wanted to know whether any meeting of the committees was held or not and if any report was submitted. He also wanted to know how much money was spent on the five-member legal committee formed to fight the issue before the Mahanadi Water disputes Tribunal.

Mishra demanded a detailed statement from the Water Resources Minister in the House on this issue.

Speaking in same vein, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra said though two committees were formed on  Mahanadi issue, not a single meeting of the panels was held so far. This shows how serious the state government is on the issue, he told reporters outside the House.

“I have moved a motion for a special discussion on the Mahanadi water dispute, which the Speaker has agreed to allow after passing of the Appropriation Bill,” the veteran Congress leader said.

Hitting out at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over his scheduled visit to Japan on April 3, Narasingha Mishra said the CM should postpone the visit and take part in the important discussion.

Noting that the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti also belongs to Odisha, the Congress leader said he could have intervened in the matter, but he is yet to do so.

It may be noted here that the Mahanadi water dispute tribunal has decided to visit Chhattisgarh and Odisha next month.