In the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, a historic agreement has been reached on the settlement of pending payments between the Narmada Award beneficiary states Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. 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 in New Delhi on July 7 in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil. Senior officials of the Center and the four states were also present in the meeting.
This agreement is a historic milestone towards ending the long standing disputes related to cost sharing issues of construction of Sardar Sarovar Project by the States of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, whereby the payments to be made as final settlement of pending dues have been resolved as a one-time settlement.
Dispute over long pending payment of Narmada Award
Home Minister Amit Shah Said that there was a dispute going on for a long time between Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh regarding the pending payment of Narmada Award, which has been amicably resolved today. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many historic initiatives have been taken to strengthen water security and promote cooperative federalism in the water sector.
He said that the benefit of formation of double engine government in many states under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji is that our ability to understand each other has increased, political issues have reduced and many disputes in the country are now being resolved rapidly.
Appreciation of constructive cooperation of governments
Union Home Minister Shah appreciated the constructive cooperation given by the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra in building consensus on this important inter-state project. He said that Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan especially benefited a lot from this project. With the completion of the dam, water and electricity reached everywhere in these states.
He said that the benefit to Rajasthan may seem small, but in the lands where Narmada water has reached, both the value of the land and the fortunes of the farmers have changed. He said that under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister Patil, the ongoing water disputes or disputes related to water distribution in the country are being resolved one by one.
Solve issues keeping in mind the national loss
Home Minister Shah said that recently the water dispute between Haryana and Rajasthan was resolved. Be it the issue of Kishau Dam Project or the water dispute between Rajasthan and Haryana or today’s agreement, all these are golden examples of cooperative federalism. He said that whether it is Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana or Maharashtra, water is useful for the people of the country, especially the farmers.
The Union Minister said that no matter in which part of the country water is used, the beneficiary will be an Indian. The Union Home Minister said that keeping in mind the national loss caused by any dispute, necessary steps should be taken to resolve it. He said that if the neighboring state becomes prosperous, then our own state also gets its benefits.
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