There is a feeling that tribes need water for irrigation to continue farming in the Bastar region, and so the Bodhghat project is vital, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Wednesday.
Interacting with the media before leaving for Pendra, he said the tribal farmers have land but no water to cultivate. They are totally dependent on monsoon. Therefore, an irrigation project is a necessity.
Additionally, the project will ensure drinking water in the region, Baghel added.
Asked about protests by some villagers against the project, the Chief Minister countered: "Should not the water reach the crops of tribal farmers? If anyone has an alternate suggestion, they can come up with it. Those who are protesting are not supporting the tribes."
"Tears are tears," he said cryptically, when asked about a teary-eyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the farewell speech by retiring Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Baghel added: "When farmer leader Tikait shed tears, the farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana stood by him."