Mahanadi row: Centre seeks report from Chhattisgarh

Bhubaneswar: Union Water resources minister Uma Bharti told OTV today that the Centre has sought a report from the Chhattisgarh government on the proposed projects on the upstream of Mahanadi river, which the Odisha government has been opposing vehemently.

Steps will be taken only after the report is received from the Chhattisgarh government, said Bharti.

The minister informed that she is fully aware of issue and will take necessary steps as soon as she receives the report.

Minister of State for Water Resources Sanjeev Balyan said that the ministry will discuss the matter with both the State governments to settle it amicably.

As per sources, a meeting will be arranged between the representatives of the two governments by the Water resources ministry to resolve the matter very soon.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Chhattisgarh government’s ‘politicisation’ allegation against the Odisha government, Industry Minister Debi Mishra said, “Odisha is a co-basin state. No politics is involved in raising objections to the one-sided decision of a neighbouring state. We cannot compromise on the people’s interests of our state.”