Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday admitted that the Chhattisgarh Government has forcibly stopped Mahanadi water for which Odisha is not getting sufficient water during the non-monsoon period.
Pradhan addressing mediapersons here said: “The Chhattisgarh Government is giving more water to the industries than agriculture. But it is showing that they are giving water to farmers.”
Pradhan said that the Union Minister for water resources had admitted that Chhattisgarh is committing mistakes in Mahanadi water issue and constructed dams and barrages keeping the Central Water Commission (CWC) in dark. Further much to the surprise of the mediapersons, BJP activists and even Government officials present, Pradhan said: “It is high time to snatch water from Chhattisgarh,”
He further said there are two ways to solve the inter-State water dispute. One is ‘discussion’ and the other is ‘tribunal’. “While we welcome the formation of the tribunal, we also further suggest to continue discussions with Chhattisgarh to have an amicable settlement,” he appealed.