Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (IANS) The Congress legislators of Odisha led by Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra on Thursday urged President Pranab Mukherjee to direct the Union government to constitute an inter-state water dispute tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi water sharing dispute.
They also urged the President to direct the centre to ask the Chhattisgarh government to stop its unilateral constructions on Mahanadi river.
"We met the President and sought his intervention to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh. We requested him to direct the centre to resolve the issue. If the issue is not settled amicably, then direct the centre to constitute an inter-state water dispute tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi water issue," Mishra told media persons after meeting Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
He said the President has been requested to direct stopping of unilateral construction by the Chhattisgarh government on the upper catchment of Mahanadi river and provide all data relating to the projects to the Odisha government.
He said the construction of barrages and dams on the upper catchment of Mahanadi river would affect the water flow into Hirakud reservoir.
"It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to resolve the inter-state dispute. But unfortunately, he has remained silent on the matter. What could be more unfortunate, the Odisha Chief Minister instead of taking everyone along in the matter has indulged in politics," said the Leader of Opposition.
He said that the President has assured them of taking necessary steps in this regard.
BJD spokesperson Amar Satapathy said the meeting of Congress MLAs with the President was just an eyewash.
"This is a political programme of Congress. It has no interest to protect the rights of Odisha on Mahanadi issue," he added.
BJP Vice President Sameer Mohanty said the central government is well aware of the situation and would take the right steps to resolve the matter.
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