Raman refutes Odisha’s claims, says Chhattisgarh has CWC approval

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Raipur/Bhubaneswar, Jul 26: 

Unperturbed by the opposition from political parties and Government of Odisha over the Mahanadi barrages issue, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today asserted that his government has taken necessary approvals to construct the barrages at the upper catchment of Mahanadi flowing through his state.

“Today a debate was held in the Parliament over the issue. Chhattisgarh made a strong case for itself. Whatever water we are drawing, we are doing according to the approval of Central Water Commission (CWC). We are only using 25 percent of the water. We also have a right to draw even more water,” said Singh speaking to reporters today.

“There is a deliberate attempt to politicise the issue. Chhattisgarh Government has taken necessary approvals since long for all the projects,” he added.

Odisha BJP President Basant Panda, on the other hand, today held a press conference after the Parliament debate and asked the State Government to form a joint committee to discuss the issue with the Chhattisgarh Government.

“BJP will not make any compromises when it comes to the interests of the state. It is unfortunate that Chhattisgarh has started the projects without necessary approval. We are well aware that the lives and the livelihood of half of the population of Odisha will be affected without the water of Mahanadi. We urge the State Government to form a joint committee with Chhattisgarh to look into the issue,” said Panda.

It further questioned the dilly-dallying tactics of Odisha Government over the issue.

“As the Union Minister of State for Water resources clarified in Lok Sabha, the Chhattisgarh Government had submitted the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) with the Central Irrigation Commission pertaining to some medium scale projects. All necessary documents for these projects had been forwarded to Odisha Government as well. The Minister clarified that Odisha Government had not objected to these projects,” Panda added.

“The State Government raised the issue only before a month and half. It makes a clear case of irresponsibility on its part. The CWC of Union Government called for a meeting back in June to discuss the issue. It is incomprehensible why the State Government sought a month’s time”.

“The Centre needed a response from the state in 2006 pertaining to a project. Chhattisgarh reaped the benefit as the State Government didn’t raise its objections until 2009,” he added.