Mahanadi Water Dispute: Tribunal asks Odisha, Chhattisgarh to hold talks again

New Delhi: The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal today directed Advocate Generals of both Odisha and Chhattisgarh governments to hold talks and sort out the issue amicably before March 30.

Both the States were also asked to inform the Tribunal about the outcome of the meeting following which it will pronounce its verdict on March 30.

“Though both the States had a cordial discussion, but they could not make any interim arrangement. Therefore, the tribunal felt that there should be further discussion and it directed officials of both the States to discuss and make one more attempt to resolve the issue and report before March 30,” said Mohan V Katarki, counsel of Odisha government.

“The tribunal stated that legal heads and luminaries of both the states should hold a discussion once more,” stated Surya Mishra, Odisha Advocate General.

Reacting to the development, counsel of Chhattisgarh government, Atul Jha, said, “The tribunal was informed about the progress made during the last two meetings on February 25 and March 5. The tribunal felt that both the States should try further to resolve the issue amicably.”

Earlier, Water Resources Department Secretaries and senior officials of both the States held meetings to sort out the issue, but failed to reach any consensus. Both the States are at loggerheads over the quantum of water to be released in Mahanadi river during non-monsoon period.