House committee to meet PM to demand for tribunal on Mahanadi dispute

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution to form an all-party House Committee which will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pressurise the Centre for formation of a tribunal to sort out Mahanadi water dispute.

The Committee led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will seek appointment for a meeting with the Prime Minister to present the demand.

Government chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said, "A resolution for  a House Committee was passed in the State Assembly unanimously."

Pradip Purohit, BJP leader, said, "To protect the interset of Odisha people, BJP will be part of the House committee."

Echoing similar voice, Narasingha Mishra, Leader of Opposition, "As per the law the Centre is bound to form a tribunal to sort out Mahanadi dispute between the two states."

Also Read: Mahanadi row: Bijay Mohapatra slams Centre over ‘no tribunal’ affidavit in SC

Meanwhile, the Mahanadi Bachao Adolan has decided to stage a two-day 'satyagraha' from December 18 in front of the Parliament to press for its demand for constituion of a tribunal.

Activists fighting for Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri and Godavari rivers are likely to join the agitation.

Sudarsan Das, convener of Mahanadi Bachao Andolan, said "We also request MPs of 13 parties to raise the Mahanadi tribunal issue in the Parliament."