The newly formed eight-member high-level committee, chaired by Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, is set to hold its maiden meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan today. The panel’s primary objective is to resolve the long-standing Mahanadi water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
In a rare display of political unity, the committee includes representatives from the BJP, BJD, and Congress, featuring ministers Suresh Pujari, Prithviraj Harichandan, and MLAs like Niranjan Pujari and Sophia Firdous.
Breaking away from years of legal deadlock, the Odisha government is now prioritizing "bilateral dialogue over litigation." The state remains optimistic that a consensus on water sharing can be reached through direct negotiations with the Chhattisgarh government.
Today’s discussion will outline the roadmap for these talks, aiming for a permanent solution that secures the interests of Odisha’s farmers and residents.