Odisha files counter affidavit against Centre on Mahanadi water dispute

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Friday filed a counter affidavit in Supreme Court accusing the Centre of providing misleading information on the ongoing Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh.

The step comes after the Centre submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court contending that there is no need to constitute a tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi river water dispute as the Odisha government did not provide any data or adduce any evidence in support of its stand.

In its 60-page affidavit, Odisha government has maintained that the Centre had earlier committed that a decision on setting up a Tribunal would be taken before November 19 but failed to do so thereby violating the provisions of inter-State water disputes act.

Also Read: Mahanadi row: Odisha to set up House Committee

Earlier, Odisha had moved the Supreme Court on the issue and in the last hearing held on October 9, the counsel for Government of India had committed that a decision on the tribunal would be taken before November 19, 2017. The next hearing is slated for December 11, informed sources.

“The affidavit filed by Centre in SC is based on false facts and we condemn such move. Our team has filed a counter affidavit in the apex court,” said BJD Spokesperson, Pratap Deb.

“We welcome if Odisha Government has filed the affidavit based on facts. But it will be just a political gimmick if the counter affidavit is not based on any facts,” said State BJP President, Basant Panda.