Mahanadi water dispute: Odisha constitutes 7-member high-level Committee under Deputy CM KV Singh Deo

The Odisha government formed a high-level committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo to look into the entire Mahanadi water dispute and provide guidance to the state’s position before the ongoing Tribunal proceedings.

The decision was taken following the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in view of continuing legal and administrative developments linked to the river.

Senior Ministers And Legislators As Members

According to information shared by the Odisha government, the Committee comprises Ministers Suresh Pujari, Prithviraj Harichandan and Sampad Chandra Swain, Government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan, and legislators Niranjan Pujari, Jaynarayan Mishra and Sofia Firdous.

Sources indicated that the members will examine submissions placed by the State, track follow-up actions, and advise on communications linked to the dispute.

Committee Formed To Guide Policy

The Water Resources Department stated that the committee will examine all issues related to the Mahanadi dispute and offer guidance at the policy level.

The formation follows the Odisha government’s assessment of legal processes before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal and the sensitivity associated with the matter. The body will likely review relevant matters, ongoing steps, and documents being placed before the Tribunal.

Inter-State Discussions Underway

Information earlier placed in the Odisha Legislative Assembly by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meetings between Odisha and Chhattisgarh have been held continuously.

Records tabled in the House mentioned that six JTC meetings took place over the past four months, with another meeting scheduled.

According to the points submitted in the Assembly, technical teams have been reviewing flow data, submissions and compliance aspects under the inter-state mechanism.

ALSO READ: Odisha adds teeth to cyber cells after frauds cross Rs 222 crore; ‘low-recovery rate’ major concern, says ex-DGP

High-Level Interactions Between States Reported

The Minister informed the House that before the technical rounds, Chief Ministers of both states held meetings, followed by interactions between the Chief Secretaries in New Delhi in August and November.

According to the written information, these engagements were aimed at reviewing positions before the Tribunal stages. The next hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal has been scheduled for December 20, during which data and affidavits submitted by both states will be examined.