KalingaTV News Network
New Delhi: Union Shipping and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday informed that a tribunal will be formed within three months to solve the ongoing Mahanadi water sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Gadkari said this while replying to the question of BJD MP Nagendra Kumar Pradhan during the Question Hour of the Lok Sabha today.
Alleging that Odisha has not submitted any documents, the Union Minister said that the Centre is neither against the formation of a tribunal nor will do any injustice to Odisha. However, the dispute can be solved by discussion.
“There is no scarcity of water in Odisha and no injustice will be done to it over the matter. Odisha has the right to get a tribunal over the matter. It will get its right on the tribunal in next three months. However, a delegate from Odisha can come for a discussion with me and meet the Prime Minister, if needed,” said Gadkari adding that letters have been sent to the Chief Ministers of both the states to solve the issue.
Reacting to Gadkari’s request for discussion, BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said that Odisha did not come forward to have discussion as the former Water Resources Minister (Uma Bharti) had said that she cannot restrain Chhattisgarh from constructing the dam. But only the tribunal can do so, he added.
“Whether a tribunal is going to be formed as per the Constitutional provision or not?,” questioned Mahtab. He also alleged that the Centre has violated the Constitution.
“You have not formed the tribunal within the stipulated time of one year. You have gone to the Supreme Court saying that we are not going to form the tribunal as a bill is pending. Is this the way how the law has to be maintained in the country?,” he added.
Adding to Mahtab, Kalikesh Singh Deo alleged that the delay is nothing but Centre’s excuses of not interested in forming the tribunal.
Ms Kalinga