Constitute Tribunal to resolve water dispute: CM Naveen Patnaik

New Delhi: Odisha Government on Sunday raised the Polavaram and Mahanadi issue at the Inter-State Council (ISC) meeting held at New Delhi.

Opposing the Polavaram project and construction of barrages on Mahanadi basin by Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanded for formation of a Tribunal for resolving various water disputes.

Talking to the reporters after the meeting, Patnaik said, “principles of fair play and federal polity should be adopted and the Polavaram project should be discontinued.”

A Tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute and interim stoppage of construction activity in Mahanadi basin in Chhattisgarh for protecting the livelihood of the people of Odisha, Patnaik said.

The ISC meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was also attended by Chief Ministers of seven States to discuss the recommendations of the Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations.

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“Odisha supports Punchhi Commission’s recommendation for defining the role of Governors and other aspects. Odisha deserves the same sharing pattern of funds as per North Eastern and Himalayan States on the account of high percentage of population below the poverty line,” said Patnaik.

The Chief Minister also placed a demand for earmarking 60 percent of clean environment cess for coal bearing States, addressing the critical deficiencies of low telecom connectivity, low financial inclusion and lower bank credits in Odisha on priority basis.

Odisha Government also urged the Centre not to demand reimbursement of cost towards deployment of CRPF in left wing extremist affected states.