CPI demands white paper from Odisha govt on Polavaram project

Amid allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling BJD and opposition parties over the controversial Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, CPI today demanded a white paper on possible impact of the project on the people of Malkangiri district.
"We also suggest the state government to convene an all party meeting over the Polavaram issue so that a united opinion can be built against the controversial project," CPI state secretary Dibakar Nayak said in a statement.
Like other opposition parties Congress and BJP, CPI also criticised the state government for not handling the Polavaram issue properly.
Though an agreement between the Odisha government and the Andhra Pradesh government in 1977 had resolved that the height of the Polavaram project would not exceed 150 feet, the neighbouring state had prepared a design with the dam height of 180 feet, Nayak said, adding the Odisha government should make it clear on the amount of forest land and villages that could get submerged due to the project over Godavari River.

"The state government must publish a white paper with all these facts," Nayak said.
The CPI also strongly condemned the statements of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. Both leaders had said during election rallies that they would back the project.
Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Jaydev Jena alleged that the state government was never serious about safeguarding Odisha's interests.
"It has been creating a hue and cry over Polavaram, keeping an eye on the elections," Jena added.