Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu Talks About Resolving Odisha’s Water Disputes

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs, Bishweswar Tudu, who is on a six-day visit to Odisha, on Monday assured that all the disputes pertaining to rivers will be resolved soon.

He said that the matters before the tribunal are being reviewed.

“I have held discussions on issues related to rivers in Odisha with the officials concerned after taking charge, about two months ago. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared and the issues will hopefully be resolved at the earliest,” he said on the sidelines of his visit to Lingaraj Temple here.

On Odisha’s dispute with Chhattishgarh over distribution of Mahanadi river water, Tudu said that the states have to make some compromises and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. “There is nothing which cannot be resolved amicably. The problem lingered on as no one was ready to let go of ego,” he said.

Talking about tribal affairs, the Union Minister said, “The Centre gives regular funds to all states for the development of tribal population. It is the duty of the state governments to ensure proper use of those funds.”

Tudu then visited Jagannath Temple in Puri. He will leave for Balasore on September 7 and make a night halt at Baripada. His four-day itinerary in Mayurbhanj parliamentary constituency will begin on September 8. He is expected to attend party meetings and interact with people in his constituency.

Like Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaisnaw, he will also take part in the Jana Ashirwad Yatra.

This is Tudu’s first visit to Odisha after being inducted into the Modi 2.0 Cabinet.