Polavaram Project Controversy: Odisha Assembly Erupts with Opposition Protests | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Opposition BJD and Congress members created a ruckus in the assembly after speaker Surama Padhy did not allow an adjournment motion discussion on the impact of the proposed Polavaram project in Odisha. During Question Hour, Congress members jumped into the well of the house, protesting against not accepting their notice for a debate on the impact of the irrigation project. Amid the pandemonium, Padhy adjourned the proceedings first until 11:30am and again until 4 pm.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik said, “The BJD has always been fighting for the interests of the people of Odisha and will continue to do so.”
Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam said, “Odisha will suffer due to Polavaram. That’s why we brought an adjournment motion. The same was not allowed, citing pending court cases,” he said and questioned the govt’s silence.
Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the Odisha govt is fully committed to protecting the people’s interests and the opposition should refrain from politicising every issue.
On Thursday, BJD MPs sent a memorandum to the Central Water Commission, raising concerns that areas in Malkangiri district will submerge due to the project.
The BJD has been highlighting that significant changes were made to the original design flood discharge capacity, increasing the flood discharge from 36 lakh cusecs to 50 lakh cusecs, without sufficient consideration of the backwater impact in the upstream states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. “This shift has caused apprehensions among the affected populations of Malkangiri, who are at risk of losing their lands and homes,” it said.
The Centre’s recent sanction of Rs 15,000 crore for the completion of the multipurpose irrigation project on the Godavari river has escalated the concerns of Odisha, the BJD MPs wrote.
“The Polavaram project would harm thousands of Odia tribals and hundreds of tribal hamlets in Odisha. Andhra Pradesh would benefit at the cost of Odisha, but the Odisha BJP govt is maintaining a stoic silence,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik said, “The BJD has always been fighting for the interests of the people of Odisha and will continue to do so.”
Congress legislature party leader Rama Chandra Kadam said, “Odisha will suffer due to Polavaram. That’s why we brought an adjournment motion. The same was not allowed, citing pending court cases,” he said and questioned the govt’s silence.
Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the Odisha govt is fully committed to protecting the people’s interests and the opposition should refrain from politicising every issue.
On Thursday, BJD MPs sent a memorandum to the Central Water Commission, raising concerns that areas in Malkangiri district will submerge due to the project.
The BJD has been highlighting that significant changes were made to the original design flood discharge capacity, increasing the flood discharge from 36 lakh cusecs to 50 lakh cusecs, without sufficient consideration of the backwater impact in the upstream states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. “This shift has caused apprehensions among the affected populations of Malkangiri, who are at risk of losing their lands and homes,” it said.
The Centre’s recent sanction of Rs 15,000 crore for the completion of the multipurpose irrigation project on the Godavari river has escalated the concerns of Odisha, the BJD MPs wrote.
“The Polavaram project would harm thousands of Odia tribals and hundreds of tribal hamlets in Odisha. Andhra Pradesh would benefit at the cost of Odisha, but the Odisha BJP govt is maintaining a stoic silence,” BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said.
