Mahanadi water: Odisha's ex-minister demands spl package for irrigation

Ahead of the proposed meeting between Odisha and Chhattishgarh Chief Ministers over Mahanadi water dispute, former irrigation minister Niranjan Patnaik today suggested the BJD government demand a special package from the Centre for development of irrigation facilities.
"Take a strong stand in the meeting with the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and ask for a special package from the Union government," he wrote in a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Welcoming the proposed meeting between Naveen Patnaik and Raman Singh likely on September 17, the Congress leader said the two states should soon be able to agree to a just solution over sharing of Mahanadi waters.

Asserting that Hirakud Dam is a national project and it is the responsibility of the Centre to protect the catchment area of Mahanadi. The state should not allow it to die a silent death and the Centre must restore status quo ante, Niranjan said.