The opposition BJP and the Congress have slammed the Naveen Patnaik government (BJD) in the Odisha assembly over the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute with neighbouring Chhattisgarh state.
Raising the issue during zero hour on Tuesday, Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra (BJP) said two House committees were formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister and the Speaker to discuss the Mahanadi water dispute. However, no one knows what happened to these panels.
No fruitful result came out
“Whether any meeting of the panels was held or not? Whether they have submitted any report or not?” Mishra asked.
He wanted to know how much money was spent on the five member legal committee formed to fight for Mahanadi water before the tribunal.
“Let the Water Resources Minister make a detailed statement in the House on this issue,” demanded the Leader of Opposition.
Joining the BJP leader, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said, “Though two committees were formed to discuss the Mahanadi issue, not a single meeting of the panels was held till now. This shows how serious the state government is on the issue.”
“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 Congress leader said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is scheduled to visit Japan on April 3, should postpone the visit and take part in the important discussion, he added.
