Srikant Jena writes to Modi on Mahanadi water, coal cess issues

Bhubaneswar: Reiterating demand for a tribunal to resolve Mahanadi water dispute, senior Congress leader Srikant Jena has today written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to ask Chhattisgarh government to stop  construction of barrage on Mahanadi river.

"We can't allow the Mahanadi to dry up as Odisha would be severely affected. I have tried to draw the PM's attention for his immediate intervention and order a separate tribunal to adjudicate the water dispute following which the fight that has erupted between the two states can only be solved," said Jena.

The former Union minister has also raked up the issue of the government of India using the coal cess, around Rs 8,000 crore, earned from Odisha in developed states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.

"As PM Modi's attention is presently focused on Odisha and he is going to stay in the state for two days, I believe he will give a clear picture to the people here on the issue," he added.

Citing involvement of many BJP and RSS workers in the Bhadrak unrest, Jena has urged Modi to direct them to maintain peace in the region.