Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik once again raised the Polavaram irrigation project and dam construction issue in his talks with Union water resources minister Harish Rawat and argued that such a move by the Andhra Pradesh government, in spite of court restrictions, would affect tribal habitations in the border areas of Odisha.
The project work is continuing despite the matter being subjudice and 'Stop Work' order issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF). The Centre should not allow execution of the project till conflicting issues are resolved through mutual consultations, Patnaik told Rawat during a meeting in New Delhi today.
Rawat assured that his ministry would convene a meeting of the secretaries of the two states under the chairmanship of Union secretary, water resources department, at the earliest to resolve the pending issues.
Earlier this month, Andhra Pradesh High Court had pulled up the government for awarding construction contracts in a non-transparent manner. The irrigation-cum-hydro power project has been locked in legal controversy for over a decade as Odisha fears that the dam would result in submergence of tribal villages and would endanger lives within its territory if adequate measures are not taken during construction.
The two neighbouring states, which are now engaged in a legal tussle in the Supreme Court, are yet to agree upon reservoir operation schedule, placement of embankments, submersion of forest land, displacement of tribal population and incorrect back water computation.
The Odisha chief minister, who is on a poll campaign frenzy since the start of 2013, has raised the issue before the Centre for the second time in less than eight months time.
Besides Polavaram row, Patnaik requested the Union minister to take steps for release of funds meant for various Central sponsored irrigation projects in the state.
The Centre had sanctioned ~563 crore for Odisha in 2012-13 for different projects under accelerated irrigation benefit programme, command area development and water management programme and repair, renovation and restoration scheme. But the finances have not reached the state even as the financial year comes to an end in few days.
Rawat informed that his ministry is pursuing with the Union finance ministry to release funds for Kanupur and Anandapur barrage projects. He assured to recommend early release of funds for three other projects including Upper Indravati, Telengiri and Subarnarekha.
Regarding extension of financial assistance to 11 major irrigation projects, Rawat said, the Centre needs written reply from the state regarding delay in project implementation when Patnaik said that the projects suffered extreme delay due to various reasons such as Naxalite attack and pending MoEF clearances.
