The Cabinet also approved the tender for the above work for an execution amount of Rs 200 crore (without GST) and 0 & M cost for five years amounting to Rs 1 crore (without GST). The work is planned to be completed in 30 months.
This storage structure is expected to control the flood situation in Kochila river and will rejuvenate the Baitarani river.
Informing about the other important Cabinet decisions, Chief Secretary, Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said that major decisions included approval of the financial bids for construction of 40 lift irrigation schemes with intake points on different rivers in the districts of Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Bargarh, Gajapati, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Angul and Cuttack.
Similarly, the Cabinet also approved the financial bids for execution of pressurised underground pipe line (UGPL) irrigation network system for left command of lower Suktel irrigation project with distribution network.
Approvals were made to sanction the lease of 5 acre government land free of premium for establishment of Central Research Institute in Homeopathy (CIRH), 50 acres of land in favour of Rajendra University for their infra development, and 3.125 acres of land for establishment of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Proposal for 15 per cent reservation of seats in Government Physical Education Colleges for the students staying in government sports hostels along with revised funding for the State Level Sports Infrastructure Development scheme also received Cabinet nod.
The Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty directed Chhattisgarh to withdraw the petition failing which the bench will pass order of non-maintainability. The court adjourned hearing on the matter till November 2 on specific request of Chhattisgarh.
The bench held that appeal against any order of the NGT is not maintainable before the High Court under Section 22 of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
The green court had issued the stay order on July 26 on 31 projects while adjudicating an application filed by social activist Sudarsan Das on behalf of Agami Odisha, an apolitical forum, raising concerns over impact of barrages on environment, ecology, biodiversity and people residing in the downstream of Mahanadi River in Odisha.
MP Kulamani Samal stated, “All BJD members of Parliament have gathered today to protest negligence meted out by the Centre towards Odisha regarding Mahanadi water.”
Expressing similar views, Dhenkanal MP Tathagat Satpathy, said, “We demand the Centre should immediately form a water tribunal to address inter-state river water issue. Odisha people will never tolerate any kind of negligence.”
Baijayant Panda said every possible step will be taken to safeguard the interest of Odisha people.
Under the aegis of Aagami Odisha, the leaders and MPs of different parties are holding a five-day protest to put pressure on the Centre to constitute a tribunal to resolve the inter-state water sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
Yesterday Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik, BJD MPs Tathagat Satpathy, Nagendra Pradhan, Kulamani Samal, Pratap Deb, Ladu Kishore Swain and Prabhas Singh along with water activist Rajendra Singh sat on the dharna near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding allocation of Odisha’s rights over Mahanadi river.
However, absence of Union minsters Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram at the dharna spot despite sending an invitation has disappointed the protesting Odia leaders.
A team of delegates is also scheduled to meet the President, Prime Minister and Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti during the Satyagraha and apprise them on the water sharing dispute.
Chhattisgarh State Commercial Tax and Industry Minister Amar Agrawal gave this controversial remark here on Wednesday triggering a storm.
Attending the Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas programme organised by the BJP in Burla, the minister said water cess has been collected from these industrial units for 15 years in advance and the money has been used for construction of three to four barrages in the state.
Besides, he also recommended that the Odisha government should form an expert committee to review as to why the water level of Mahanadi is decreasing by the day. However, no reaction had been received from the BJD in this regard.
Reports said while floodwaters have receded slightly in Baliapal and Bhogarai blocks, about 20 villages of Baliapal, Bishnupur, Asti, Madhupura and Jamakunda panchayats are still marooned as the floodwaters have entered through a breach in the embankment near Rasulpur village.
The plight of the marooned villagers has worsened as there has been no supply of medicines and drinking water in the last two days.
As per the latest reports, release of floodwater from Galudih barrage in neighbouring Jharkhand has reduced to almost half. While 2.85 lakh cusecs of water per second was released on Thursday, 1.27 lakh cusecs of water per second was being released from five sluice gates of the barrage by noon today.
While the floodwater of Subarnarekha was flowing at a height of 10.70 metres at Rajghat as against the danger mark of 10.36 metres by 2 PM, the water level has come down below the danger mark by 7 PM, the reports added.
Talking to OTV in Bhubaneswar, Deputy Relief Commissioner Prabhat Mohapatra said the flood situation in Balasore district is improving rapidly with the recession of floodwaters below the danger mark at Rajghat and Jamshola Ghat. “As the floodwater is being released in the sea at a faster rate, we expect that the it will recede completely from the villages in the embankment area by tomorrow,” he added.
The announcement about the Centre-brokered meeting was made by Union minister of state for Water Resources and River Development Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in the Lok Sabha today.
The reply of the minister came in response to a calling attention motion moved by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahatab.
Balian said the Chhattisgarh government had submitted a detailed project report (DPR) for Arpa-Bhaisajhar barrage to the Water Resources ministry in 2013. In 2014, the ministry had directed the Chhattisgarh government to discuss the DPR with the Odisha government. “Te Chhattisgarh government had presented the DPR to the Odisha government in 2015. Till date, there has been no response from the Odisha government,” Baliaan informed.
He further said the CWC had said the project is technically correct. But the Chhattisgarh government has begun the construction work of this project without the recommendation of the technical advisory committee.
Referring to the other projects, the Union minister said the Chhattisgarh government had sent the DPR of Pairi irrigation project to the Odisha government in April, this year. Besides, it had also sent its DPR to the Odisha government on Kelo project in 2006. As there was no reply from the Odisha government, the ministry and the CWC approved the project in 2009. “Instead of objecting to this project between 2006 and 2009, the Odisha government is raising the issue now,” he pointed out.
Balyan said after he was informed about these projects by the Odisha government one and half month ago, the ministry had asked both the state governments to discuss the issues involved. “While the Chhattisgarh government agreed to the talks, the Odisha government sought one month's time. The first meeting was scheduled on June 27. But as it could not be held, the ministry has scheduled the next meeting on July 29,” he added.
He said the Centre has got one-year time to find an amicable solution to these issues. But a tribunal will be formed if there is no outcome from the meeting between these two states
The Union minister also pointed out that had the joint control board been formed as per the 1983 agreement between the two states, such issues would not have arisen.
Earlier, participating in the debate, Mahatab said leave alone consultation, the Chhattisgarh government has started constructing a number of projects without even informing the Odisha government. Almost all projects are solely meant to generate hydro power to set up industries. If this is the priority of the Chhattisgarh government, let them come out in the open.
He said construction of these projects will have a serious impact in the downstream areas of Jharsuguda and Bargarh districts as well as the Hirakud reservoir.
Expressing grave concern over the matter, BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy wondered; “Is the contention that the non-monsoon flow in the Mahanadi should be stopped? Secondly, is it the intention to kill the Hirakud and thereby kill Odisha just because the people of Odisha have opted to take a different path in their socio-political life?”
In his statement, Bolangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo said Mahanadi provides 50 percent of the irrigation in Odisha. “The Hirakud reservoir irrigates four major districts—Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir and Sonepur. How can the Central Water Commission (CWC) allow the Chhattisgarh government to go ahead with these projects? Can the ministry of Water Resources allow the construction of dam on the upper catchments of Mahanadi when the bilateral treaty which indicates that certain procedures have not been completed?” Singhdeo asked.
Countering the allegations of the BJD MPs, BJP MP from Rajnandgaon, Abhisek Singh said he has no information that the Odisha government has taken any steps for establishment of a joint control board since 1983.
“Going by the issues that the Odisha government has raised and the communication it has had with the Chhattisgarh government so far, I don’t think the former has taken any serious steps at the political level,” Singh pointed out.
Supporting his party colleague, Raipur MP Ramesh Bais said the Odisha government should have informed the Chhattisgarh government if the later had done anything wrong.
Defending his government, Bais said for the Kelo project, the Chhattisgarh government has got the permission from the CWC. Talking about the other micro and minor projects, he said his government has constructed these projects with the approval of the CWC.
BJD members today staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha on this matter.
Soon after the site inspection, Mishra said the team will hold talks with officials of Chhatisgarh government regarding the ongoing construction work on the river.
“We will gather information regarding the barrage from concerned officials of Chhatisgarh government. Besides we will have a discussion with the Odisha government officials on the issue and prepare a report,” Mishra stated.
Sources said, the delegation including Naba Kishore Das, Subala Sahu, Debendra Sharma, Prakash Chandra Behera, Ansuman Mohanty and Jogesh Kumar Singh will meet the officials of Chhatisgarh government tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJD has rejected the proposal of the Congress party for an all party meet on the issue and decide on an appropriate response to the unilateral move by the Chhattisgarh government.
“Both Congress and BJP are national parties. Any decision on any issue is always taken by the top brasses at the Centre. So we are not in favour of the all party meet as proposed by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra,” BJD spokesperson Pratap Keshari Deb said.
This was informed by Janaki Ballav Mahapatra, Engineer-in-Chief, Odisha, after talks with his Chhattisgarh counterpart today.
He said the two-member team has the Executive Engineer, Hirakud Circle and Director, Dam Safety.
Mahapatra said the team will visit the barrages, collect relevant information on them and submit its report to the state government after its visit.
Meanwhile, a meeting of officials of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and the Central Water Commission, has been postponed.
The meeting would be held after August 15, sources said.
The BJP leader attributed the current stand-off to the gross apathy of the state government in taking initiative for the formation of a joint regulatory board as per the pact signed between former Odisha chief minister JB Patnaik and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Arjun Singh way back in 1983 with the mediation of the Central Water Commission (CWC) for sharing of Mahanadi water.
“Considering that Odisha lies on the lower catchments of Mahanadi, formation of the joint regulatory board was the need of the hour for the state government. Due to the callousness of the state government, the state is now paying the price,” Pradhan said in a release.
While asking the state government to take immediate step for the formation of a joint regulatory board and seek the intervention of the CWC in the matter, the Union minister made it clear that under no circumstances should Odisha compromise with the Chhattisgarh government on this issue.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra today urged Chief Minister to urgently convene an all-party meeting to discuss the the situation arising out of unilateral construction by the Chhattisgarh government and appropriate steps needed to protect the interests of the state.
“The Odisha government has a wrong perception of these ongoing projects and the projects that are completed. We will prepare a detailed report about these projects and send it to the Odisha government. All I can say that there is no dispute between the two states on this issue. I assure the Odisha government that these projects will pose no adverse impact on Hirakud dam,” Chhattisgarh Water Resources minister Brijmohan Agrawal told OTV today.
But the BJD is no mood to accept the contention.
“We will continue our fight on the issue and take up the matter with the Centre,” government deputy chief whip Rohit Pujari told media persons here.
Asked about the matter, former member of Central Water Commission (CWC) Himanshu Thakkar said the Odisha government should have protested construction of such projects much earlier. But he said the matter would be taken to the Inter State Water Dispute Tribunal if the state government feels aggrieved.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh Water Resources minister in his earlier statement had told the media that since Mahanadi originates in Chhattisgarh, the state has the 'first right' on its water.
It may be mentioned that taking strong exception to the unilateral construction of major structures in the upper catchments of Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately intervene in the matter in a letter on July 4.
In his letter, Patnaik had said seven pick-up weirs across river Mahanadi just upstream of the Hirakud Dam such as Saradi weir and Kalama weir and seven diversion weirs across river Arpa (a tributary of river Seonath, (which again is a tributary of Mahanadi) such as Khongasara Project, Salka Project and Bilaspur project have already been constructed while construction of Ambaguda Diversion Project, Salka Diversion Project, Lachhanpur Diversion Project and Arpa-Bhaisajhar Barrage Project are underway.
Two new projects—Pairi-Mahanadi intra-state link project and Tandula Reservoir Augmentation Scheme on Mahanadi River Project— which would have severe adverse impact on the flow of water into Hirakud Reservoir are also being proposed by the Chhattisgarh government.
Besides, the neighbouring government is also contemplating construction of a reservoir based dam in Kelo River adjacent to Odisha border, he had informed.
Drawing the attention of the Prime Minister through a letter to some of the major unilateral acts of the Chhattisgarh government with an intention to use all the available water of Mahanadi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said seven pick-up weirs across river Mahanadi just upstream of the Hirakud Dam such as Saradi weir and Kalama weir and seven diversion weirs across river Arpa (a tributary of river Seonath, which again is a tributary of river Mahanadi) such as Khongasara Project, Salka Project and Bilaspur project have already been constructed while construction of Ambaguda Diversion Project, Salka Diversion Project, Lachhanpur Diversion Project and Arpa-Bhaisajhar Barrage Project are underway.
Besides, two new projects—Pairi-Mahanadi intra-state link project and Tandula Reservoir Augmentation Scheme on Mahanadi River Project— which would have severe adverse impact on the flow of water into Hirakud Reservoir are also being proposed by the Chhattisgarh government. Besides, the neighbouring government is also contemplating construction of a reservoir based dam in Kelo River adjacent to Odisha border, he informed.
Stating that the above list is only indicative and not exhaustive, Patnaik said it is extremely unfortunate that in a federal system, the interests of the people of Odisha have been completely neglected.
“We are shocked that a Central agency like the Central Water Commission (CWC) has remained silent on this issue. Being a nodal agency, they are expected to be neutral and should play a proactive role in safeguarding the interests of farmers of the riparian state of Odisha,” he pointed out.
He further said Mahanadi is the 'lifeline of Odisha' as it contributes maximum irrigation in the state. While the farmers of 15 districts are fully dependent on Mahanadi, the river has a direct impact on more than 50 percent of the population and indirectly impact on around 65 percent of the population of the state through its subsidiaries in the Mahanadi System.
Expressing hope that the Ministry of Environment and Forests would take up this issue, the Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to urgently intervene on this issue and direct the Central agencies to play their fair role proactively and safeguard the interests of the farmers of Odisha.
He also requested the Prime Minister to advise the Chhattisgarh government to immediately stop the unilateral construction of such major structures across Mahanadi.
“I have faith that your kind intervention will help in safeguarding the interests of the millions of farmers of our State for whom Mahanadi River System is the lifeline,” he noted.
Raking up the issue raised by their party supremo at a press meet here this afternoon, senior BJD leaders voiced their protest against the illegal construction of projects on Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government.
“Construction of projects will block the water flow of Mahanadi to Odisha, which will seriously affect its agriculture and hydro power output. The illegal activities of the Chhattisgarh government will seriously affect the livelihood of the people of our state,” said senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya.
“We strongly condemn the unilateral attitude of the Chhattisgarh government. We will bring a resolution condemning the move at the party’s executive committee meeting on July 10,” BJD leader and minister Sanjay Dasburma informed.
Asked about the matter, Water Resources secretary Pradip Jena said the Odisha government is not concerned over the minor projects which the Chhattisgarh government has constructed on Mahanadi as they have no major impact. After all, being a co-basin state, the Chhattisgarh government should also contribute water to the Mahanadi System.
But he said the state government recently came to know about the commencement of construction of three major projects by the neighbouring government. “The Chhattisgarh government has already begin the project work without prior intimation to the Odisha government. It was the CWC which asked it to inform us,” he pointed out.
"Odisha is a beloved state of ours. We cannot do anything or allow anything to happen that will put the state into any crisis," Bharti told the Lok Sabha while replying to a motion moved by agitated members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Calling for the minister's "attention" on the impact of the Hirakud dam being constructed by the state of Chhattisgarh on the Mahanadi river, BJD floor leader Bhartruhari Mahtab and his party colleagues including Tathagatha Sathpathy and Kalikesh Singh Deo wanted to know if Odisha was being discriminated against because it chose a "different socio-political path" and elects a regional party government.
Bharti also maintained that water should not be made a reason for a "fight", rather it should be used as a unifying factor.
"Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a slogan of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' (A government with all and for development of all). And thus we will try to take all the states along," Bharti maintained.
Minister of State for Water Resources Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said the central government came into the picture only about one and a half months ago after Odisha wrote formally seeking the union government's intervention.
"We proposed a tripartite meeting in June as a mediator. While Chhattisgarh government agreed to come, the Odisha government sought more time. Now the meeting is slated on July 29. Hence all issues can be brought there," Balyan said.
Criticising the Chhattisgarh government for launching construction activities without taking into account the interests of the people of Odisha, Mahtab said the central government should intervene.
On July 20, BJD members had staged a demonstration in Parliament House complex against the barrage project.
BJD leaders said there was "an agreement" in 1983 between the then governments of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha on how the river water is to be shared if new embankments or new reservoirs are to be constructed.
Mahanadi contributes the maximum water for irrigation in Odisha and sustains the livelihood of the farmers of 15 districts, including Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundergarh and Bolangir.
A meeting in this regard was held among the officials of IDCO, IPICOL and the Water Resources Department (WRD) through video conferencing on Friday.
As per the WRD Chief Engineer, Jyotirmaya Rath, Odisha is set to spend more than Rs 1000 crore this fiscal year for construction of 13 barrages on several rivers in the state.
Making the announcement Rath said, “Keeping the adverse effects of climate change in view and to minimise the gap in availability of water between monsoon and non-monsoon seasons, it is the need of the hour to conserve water.”
“We have laid out plans for in-stream storage of river water for the next six years including some barrage structures that will keep the water inside the river itself and not let it drain into the ocean,” added Rath.
Speaking about the first phase of the project, Rath said, “A high-level committee including officials of NABARD have approved one thousand crore rupees for construction of 13 barrages.”
According to Rath, the move will not only ensure an uninterrupted water supply for industries, but it will also eradicate the rehabilitation problem as there will not be any evacuation of people due to flooding. The water from the barrages could be used in agriculture, irrigation and for potable water supply as well, he said.
Earlier this year the Water Resources Department had mooted a proposal to spend Rs 11,713 crore over a period of six years for the proposed In-Stream Storage Structure scheme.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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