Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Thursday blasted the BJD Government for politicising the Mahanadi water dispute and alleged that the ruling party, which is now arguing about water deficit in the Mahanadi basin, had itself sought diversion of ‘surplus’ Mahanadi water to the Rushikulya river basin.
Showing a letter sent by 10 BJD MPs to the Union Water Resources Development Minister on May 23, 2015, Oram said that these MPs in their letter had claimed that there was surplus water in the Mahanadi basin and had urged diversion of the surplus water to the water deficit-ridden Rushikulya basin.
He charged that the BJD is doing pretty politics on the Mahanadi issue to cover up the tribals’ killings in Kandhamal and the death of children due to malnourishment at Nagada in Jajpur district.
“The BJD is a divided house on the Mahanadi issue. They are saying two different things. Hence, the State Government should give a clarification from on the contradictory views of the BJD and its MPs,” said Oram.
He suggested that Mahanadi water be used for irrigation purposes of south Odisha, adding that the excess water of the river should be diverted to the Rushikulya and Godavari rivers instead of letting it flow to the sea.
However, BJD MP and Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources Siddhant Mohapatra said his party had sought diversion of the Mahanadi water only during monsoon to provide water for irrigation and drinking water projects in south Odisha.
“Hence, there is no connection between Oram’s allegations and the issue at hand now,’ said the Brahmapur MP.