Mahanadi Row: Chhattisgarh Has Violated Norms & Centre Is Aware Of This Injustice, Claims Puri MP
In yet another turn to the Mahanadi dispute, BJD MP from Puri, Pinaki Mishra has claimed that the Chhattisgarh Government has grossly violated norms by supplying water to industries in the name of irrigation.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, Mishra, citing a letter of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, said that though the Chhattisgarh Government had earlier claimed that all their water projects are meant for irrigation, in the letter, it has been clearly mentioned that there are as many as six projects of the neighbouring state for which multiple number of industries are getting water benefits from river Mahanadi..jpg)
“The letter directly points out the violations. Like there is a barrage called Samoda, which had received permission and clearance only for the purpose of irrigation, drinking water and recharge of ground water. But a major quantity of the barrage water is used for athermal power plant. Similarly, another barrage named Sheorinarayanis supplying water to three mega industries that are spending around 137mcm water per year while Basantpur barrage is supplying water to seven small and big industries which are also spending 210 mcm water per year. That apart, Mironi barrage is supplying water to eight power plants and their water consumption per year is 148 mcm while Saradiha barrage is also supplying water to the same number of power plant projects, each having a consumption of around 215 mcm water per year. Kalma barrage too is supplying water to eight powerplant projects which are consuming 221 mcm water per year,” informed Mishra.
He further alleged that the Chhattisgarh Government was expanding its industrialisation plans on the pretext of irrigation and drinking water needs and at the cost of the livelihood of people of Odisha.
“Even the government has not spent a single penny for these barrages. Most of these have been constructed by private companies,” he added.
He also took a dig at the Centre for being favourable towards the Chhattisgarh Government despite being aware of the injustice being done to the people of Odisha. “Ideally, the construction of such barrages should be stopped but till now the Centre has taken no such step,” he claimed.
Expressing his reactions on the same, party vice-president Debi Mishra said, “It is highly unfair thatwhile we are struggling to meet our minimum water requirements to manage our livelihood, they are consuming water to expand their industrialisation projects. So as per norms, they should stop construction work of all barrages till a final decision.’
He further added, “We will take strong action against this injustice and in the coming days, we will do everything possible to get our rights on river Mahanadi. We have decided to produce all relevant documents in the court in the next date.”Among others, party spokesperson Pratap Deb and MLA Rohit Pujari spoke.
