The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on Saturday directed the Advocate Generals of Odisha and Chhattisgarh to hold talks and sort out the dispute 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 dispute and report before March 30,” said Odisha Govt counsel Mohan V Katarki. “The tribunal stated that legal heads and luminaries of both the States should hold a discussion once more,” said Odisha Advocate General Surya Mishra.
Chhattisgarh Govt Advocate General Atul Jha, said, “The tribunal was informed about the progress made during the last two meetings on Feb 25 and Mar 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 the Mahanadi river during non-monsoon period.