https://youtu.be/4_enJb9zH4w
Bhubaneswar: After the Odisha government alleged Chhattisgarh closed the gates of Kalma barrage severely hitting the water inflow into Hirakud reservoir, the neighbouring State today countered the allegation of State terming the statements of Odisha leaders are artificial.
Water Resources minister of Chhattisgarh Brijmohan Agrawal refuted the charges that created much hue and cry in Odisha and asserted that the flow of water has remained as usual.
"I feel they (BJD leaders) are making all artificial talks. The water inflow has remained intact as it was during the rainey season. We have not closed any gates and no water has been blocked", Birjmohan Agrawal, water resources minister Chhatisgarh said.
The BJD, on the other hand, flayed the neighbouring State for disobeying the federal structure and hitting Odisha's interest in order to protect the industries.
"Chhattisgarh went beyond the federal structure and is doing whatever is very unfortunate. In a bid to protect the industries, they resort to lying as their party is in power at Centre, BJD spokesperson Surya Narayan Patro said.
Farmers and fishermen in the downstream of Kalma yesterday observed a reduction in water flow. Locals from Bargaon village near the barrage have alleged that they are not getting enough water for farming and the fishermen’s livelihood is also in danger.
“Most of the water is being used by industries. We get no water to sustain our livelihood,” a local fisherman had said.
The ruling party in Odisha also has hinted at knocking doors of court against such unilateral exercise of Chhattisgarh.
" If they do not take our complaint seriously, the State government will be forced to consider other alternatives including moving the court,” BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda had told OTV yesterday.