In the presence of Amit Shah, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan made a historic one-time settlement on the pending payment of Narmada Award, ending the years-old dispute.
Bhopal/New Delhi. In the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, a historic solution to the pending payment dispute related to Narmada Award was reached. In a meeting held in New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan signed the agreement agreeing to the final settlement of payments pending for years. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil was also present on this occasion.
In the meeting, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav signed the agreement. During this, senior officials of the Central Government and the four states were also present.
One time settlement of Narmada Award payment dispute
This agreement is being considered a major step towards ending the long standing dispute related to sharing of construction cost of Sardar Sarovar Project. The final resolution of pending financial liabilities between the four states has been done through One-Time Settlement. After this decision, there has been a permanent solution to the year-old payment related dispute related to the project, which will give new strength to the coordination and cooperation between the states.
Amit Shah said – years old dispute resolved amicably
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that there was a long-running dispute between Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh regarding the payment of Narmada Award, which has now been resolved with mutual consent. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, important steps are being taken continuously to strengthen water security in the country and promote cooperative federalism in the water sector. He also said that with the formation of double engine government in many states, better coordination has developed between the states, which has reduced political differences and is making possible faster resolution of many long pending disputes.
Many states got big benefits from Sardar Sarovar Project
Amit Shah appreciated the constructive role of the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra for this important agreement. He said that Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan have got the maximum benefit from the Sardar Sarovar Project. After the completion of the dam, irrigation water and electricity has reached many areas of these states.
He specifically said that even though Rajasthan’s share of the project seems small, the picture of farming has changed in the areas where Narmada water has reached. Due to this, the income of farmers has increased and land prices have also increased significantly.
Central government’s emphasis on resolution of water disputes
The Home Minister said that under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the disputes related to water sharing and water resources among the states are being resolved in a phased manner. Referring to the recent resolution of the water dispute between Haryana and Rajasthan, he said positive progress has also been made in many old cases including the Kishau Dam project. According to him, all these examples strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Appeal to give priority to national interest
Amit Shah said that water is not a matter of any one state but is of interest to the people of the entire country and especially the farmers. No matter in which state water is used, its benefits ultimately accrue to the citizens of the country. He said that states should keep in mind the national interest and the possible harm caused by it while resolving any dispute. If a neighboring state develops, it has a positive impact on the surrounding states as well. With this thinking all the states should move forward together.