Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has raised crucial questions regarding the recent high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh. Patnaik questioned the nature of the “mutual agreement” being discussed and demanded transparency and accountability in the government’s negotiations.
Patnaik expressed concern that the state government might be compromising Odisha’s water rights and wondered if the government is preparing to abandon the legal fight before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal. With only eight days left until the next Tribunal hearing on August 2, Patnaik questioned the government’s silence and lack of transparency in the matter.
“Is Odisha withdrawing from the legal route? Will the State continue pursuing the case before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal? Or is the government preparing to abandon the legal fight?” asked Patnaik.
The former chief minister emphasized that Mahanadi is not just a river but the soul of Odisha, and therefore, the government must take stakeholders, political parties, and the people into confidence. Patnaik recalled the state’s long-standing efforts to constitute the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal and expressed concern that the legal battle might be quietly weakened.
Patnaik demanded that the state government convene an all-party meeting to explain the kind of compromise being considered or already decided with the BJP government in Chhattisgarh. He also questioned whether Odisha is withdrawing from the legal route and if the government is secretly negotiating a settlement that might undermine Odisha’s water rights.
