The BJD held a State-wide agitation on Monday protesting Union Minister VK Singh’s rejection of Special Category State (SCS) status for Odisha and the decrease in water flow in the Mahanadi due to construction of barrages and dams by nieghbouring Chhattisgarh in upstream of the river.
Activists of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) staged the protest in all district headquarters. In the State capital, hundreds of activists of the party students’ wing took out a massive rally from the Special Circuit House to the ADM office via Power House Square. They later staged a demonstration in front of the ADM office.
The activists, besides criticising the statement of Chhattisgarh Industries Minister on the Mahanadi issue, alleged that the Chhattisgarh Government is depriving the people of Odisha of their due share of the Mahanadi water by supplying it to industries.
They also accused the NDA Government at the Centre of backing the BJP Government in Chhattisgarh.
“We have staged protest on the Mahanadi issue as the Chhattisgarh Government has constructed six barrages upstream on the river unilaterally by not following the federal structure principles. We also strongly condemn VK Singh’s unfavourable remark on Special Category State status for Odisha by saying it is not necessary for the State,” said BJD MlA Byomkesh Roy.