Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo chaired a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on the Mahanadi River Water Dispute Tribunal. Senior officials including Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, and Chief Secretary Anu Garg attended. Speaking after the meeting, Pujari accused the BJD of allowing delays during its 24-year tenure, which allegedly allowed Chhattisgarh to construct over 500 barrages. The BJP government plans to file an affidavit to present Odisha’s position firmly. In response, BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra highlighted efforts made in 2016 for mutual discussion, asserting that past initiatives have been overlooked. The Odisha government had formed a high-level seven-member committee to guide its tribunal strategy.
