The State BJP on Thursday urged Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti to order a probe into the alleged misuse of Central funds in the execution of 100 irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) in Odisha.
In a memorandum to the Minister, the BJP alleged that the Centre has borne 90 per cent of funds in KBK districts and 75 per cent in other areas for construction of these AIBP projects. However, the work started in 1996-97 is yet to be completed and the project cost increased from 2,698 crore to `12,864.18 crore by March 2015. Though `6,250 crore has already been spent, yet people have not got any benefit. A proper investigation should conducted against the misuse of the money, said a party release.
Further, the party demanded a Central legislation be enacted for proper scientific study of water sources and courses and a modality at the national level for cooperation and consensus among States to resolve longstanding water problems.
Informing that Odisha, besides having 80.841 billion cubic metre groundwater, receives 230.76 billion cubic metre rainwater annually and 30 billion cubic water passes though Odisha from other States, the memorandum pointed out that drinking water problem remains to be acute even after 69 years of independence.