Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil, convenes a meeting with Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, marking an important step in resolving the ongoing Mahanadi Water Dispute through dialogue and technical cooperation.
Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil, recently chaired a meeting with Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, to facilitate an amicable settlement of the Mahanadi Water Dispute. The meeting was attended by senior officers from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Central Water Commission (CWC), and the Governments of both the States.
This significant event marks an important step in the ongoing efforts of the Government of India to resolve the dispute through dialogue, technical cooperation, and cooperative federalism. The meeting follows extensive deliberations and efforts made over several years regarding the sharing of waters from the Mahanadi River, a request that was initially made by the State of Odisha.
In 2018, the Government of India constituted the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, and extended its tenure to ensure all parties were heard. The process has gained momentum with both states demonstrating their willingness to pursue an amicable settlement through mutual cooperation and technical consultations.
The meeting noted the progress made by the Joint Technical Committee, which has held several meetings and achieved consensus on numerous technical issues. It also took note of the constitution of the expanded Technical Committee under the chairmanship of Chairman Central Water Commission and comprising representatives from both Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Shri C. R. Paatil emphasized that dialogue, technical cooperation, and mutual trust are crucial for a mutually acceptable solution to this dispute. He acknowledged the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in resolving inter-state water disputes.
Both Chief Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue technical consultations constructively and appreciated the facilitation provided by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
