Bhubaneswar: Union Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad still suggests the dialogue route to resolve the prevailing dispute between Odisha and Chhatisgarh over their respective claim on Mahanadi water.
Two dialogues between Odisha and Chhatisgarh on the Mahanadi issue have already failed. Yet, when being asked on the fringe of the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) building in Cuttack on Sunday, Prasad said, “It would be better if both the states resolve the issue amicably by holding discussions.”
He however said that both the states could follow the legal process if the issue was not resolved through discussion and advised not to resort to mutual blame games. “Tribunal formation to sort out the Mahanadi issue is a legal process and both the States should adopt it rather than resort to blame game. This should not thaw the rapport between the States.” said the law Minister.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik on Friday has written to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention for the constitution of Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal which is yet to see the light even after a year since the Odisha government lodged a formal demand for it.
As per rule the Inter State Water Dispute Tribunal should be formed within a year of the application furniushed by a party for it. Odisha has applied for Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal on 19 November 2016 under section 4(1) of the Inter State River Water Dispute (ISRWD) Act, 1956.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) the party in power in Odisha holds that the center is deliberately delaying the constitution of the tribunal to help Chhatisgarh government carry on the barrage projects on upstream of Mahanadi.
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