New Delhi [भारत]July 7 (ANI): In a historic achievement, the decades-old dispute over the Narmada river and long-pending issues related to the Narmada Project were resolved on Tuesday. An agreement was signed by the four concerned states – Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra – in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The agreement was reached on settlement of pending payment issues between Narmada Award beneficiary states in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah as well as Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav along with senior officials of the Central Government and all these states.
"This agreement is a historic milestone in resolving the long-standing disputes between Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra related to the cost-sharing arrangement for the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project," the Home Ministry said in a statement. The Home Ministry said that under the agreement, the payments to be made for final settlement of pending dues have been resolved through one-time settlement.
Addressing the meeting, the Home Minister said that the issue of pending payments under the Narmada Award was unresolved between Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for a long time, and today it has been resolved amicably. Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several historic initiatives have been taken to strengthen water security and promote cooperative federalism in the water sector.
He further said that the formation of double engine governments in many states under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has increased the ability to understand each other, reduced political differences and has accelerated the resolution of many long pending disputes across the country. He appreciated the constructive cooperation given by the governments of the four states in building a broad consensus on this important inter-state project.
Shah said that this project has especially benefited Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan immensely. He said that with the completion of the dam, water and electricity has reached every part of these states. He further said that although at first glance the benefits to Rajasthan may seem modest, the areas where Narmada waters have reached have seen changes in both land values and the fortunes of farmers.
Shah said that under the leadership of the Union Jal Shakti Minister, water related disputes and issues related to water distribution are being resolved one by one across the country. He said that recently the water dispute between Haryana and Rajasthan was resolved.
Shah said that whether it is the issue of Kishau Dam project, the water dispute between Rajasthan and Haryana, or today's agreement, all these are excellent examples of cooperative federalism. He said that whether it is Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana or Maharashtra, water ultimately serves the people of the country, especially the farmers.
Shah further said that no matter where the water is used in the country, the ultimate beneficiary will be an Indian. He also said that to resolve any dispute, necessary steps should be taken keeping in mind the national loss caused by it, and if a neighboring state becomes prosperous, then the own state also gets the benefit of that prosperity. (ANI)
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