Opposition BJP and Congress on Tuesday asked the Odisha government to table the reports of two panels on the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh in the Assembly before holding a special discussion on it.

The matter was raised by Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra of the BJP during the Zero Hour. He said two committees, one by the leader of the House — chief minister — and another by the Speaker, were constituted when the entire state expressed concern over neighbour Chhattisgarh constructing barrages illegally and blocking free flow of Mahanadi water.

In December 2017, two panels were constituted and the committees visited the areas where Chhattisgarh had constructed the barrages. However, the Assembly was not aware what were the findings of the teams, Mishra said.

The LoP also said a five-member legal panel was also set up by the state government to oversee the Mahanadi water dispute in the tribunal. The House would like to know how much money is spent and the reason behind the extension of the tenure of the tribunal.

Noting that he has served a notice for a detailed discussion on the Mahanadi water dispute through a motion in the House, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra said though two panels were formed, no meetings were held.

“This (not holding meetings) speaks how serious the government was for resolving the water dispute. The water resources minister has also not given any statement in the House despite a ruling by the Speaker,” he said.

The Speaker, however, said the minister has not given the statement as the House is likely to take up a full-fledged discussion on the matter.

Mishra also targeted Union minister of state for Jal Shakti Bisheswar Tudu, who hails from Odisha. “It is understood that the Union minister despite being from the state has not intervened in the matter,” he said.

Earlier, the ruling BJD members had stalled proceedings of the House over the Mahanadi water dispute and accused the BJP-led Centre and the previous UPA government of not resolving the Mahanadi water dispute. BJD MLA Debi Prasad Mishra accused both the BJP and the Congress of not being sincere to resolve the issue even as people in 15 of the state’s 30 districts suffer due to the erratic flow of water in downstream of Mahanadi.

The BJD leader alleged that Chhattisgarh has been causing a lot of problem for Odisha by regulating water through several barrages at the upper stream of the Mahanadi river in their jurisdiction.

PTI