Odisha Government Going Soft On Mahanadi Dispute: Congress

Bhubaneswar: Targeting Odisha government on the Mahanadi issue, Congress leader Narasingha Mishra today alleged that the state government has changed its stance towards the BJP-led central government.

Lambasting the government, Narasingha Mishra said, "Odisha government has accepted the dominion of the Centre. The pre-election intensity and seriousness over the Mahanadi issue election are nowhere to be seen now."

Mishra said, two committees have been constituted on the Mahanadi dispute - one chaired by CM Naveen and the other headed by the Speaker of the house. Regular hearings in the tribunal are being conducted on Mahanadi and Banshadhara river disputes, but the status has remained unchanged, added Mishra.

The government should table all the data relating to the river disputes in the Assembly, Mishra demanded.

However, refuting the allegations of Mishra, ruling-BJD chief whip, Pramila Mallik said, "The government is quite serious about the river disputes. There are many issues including this one that the government is raising before the centre. Mahanadi water dispute will also be discussed in near future."