Odisha Chief Minister Says Mahanadi Talks Are Nearing a Framework

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has said discussions on the Mahanadi water distribution issue with Chhattisgarh are moving closer to a solution. Majhi made the statement on Thursday after attending a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and also attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.

The dispute is being discussed with technical support from the Central Water Commission. The Chief Minister said the talks had taken place in a cordial atmosphere and involved Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai. He said both States had submitted proposals and the requested documents, allowing officials to work on a framework that considered the interests of both sides.

Majhi said political leaders, chief secretaries, water resources secretaries and engineers from the two States had held several meetings. He added that administrative and political efforts were continuing alongside the legal process. He said Odisha had earlier indicated that the issue could be resolved within three months and that discussions remained on track towards that target.

Majhi thanked Shah for taking personal responsibility for efforts to resolve the dispute. The Biju Janata Dal called for the decisions taken at the meeting to be made public. BJD MLA and former Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said the matter was important to Odisha’s interests and that people should be informed about the outcome.

The expanded technical committee is scheduled to meet on October 13, while the next hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal is set for October 15. The tribunal is headed by former Supreme Court Justice Bela M. Trivedi.