**Bhubaneswar:** While Odisha Government is yet to give its nod to the Centre’s proposal of Joint Control Board (JCB) to resolve the ongoing Mahanadi water sharing dispute between Chhattisgarh, the diametrical difference between Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP central executive committee member Bijoy Mohapatra has created ripples in the political circle here.
While Bijoy on Tuesday absolutely dismissed the JCB idea, Dharmendra has earlier batted for it and demanded that Odisha should opt for it in a bid to protect the state’s interest.
Convening a press meet on Tuesday, Bijoy Mohapatra termed JCB “toothless, powerless, not supported by any law or Act and merely an advisory body”.
Elaborating on his views, Mohapatra, a former Irrigation Minister of Odisha, stressed, “To resolve the river water sharing dispute between two states, the River Board Act-1956 is solely armed with the provisions not the Joint Control Board”.
Demanding that Odisha Government should instead demand for the River Board before the Centre, Mohapatra also demanded that Odisha should also seek for an Integrated Curve Rule adhered to by Chhattisgarh and Odisha during the monsoon and non-monsoon sessions so that release of water will be well- regulated as per the needs.
On the other hand, BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena commented, “Let the BJP leaders decide among themselves first what is good for Odisha. Our Government is well aware of every aspect and necessary steps will definitely be taken at the right moment to safeguard the state’s interest”.
BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said, “It is yet to be known if it is Bijoy Mohapatra’s personal opinion or in consultation with the party higher-ups as he is a senior member of the BJP central executive committee”.