The BJP strongly opposed the decision of Mr Naveen Patnaik’s government to supply the Mahanadi’s water from Jobra barrage to the proposed mega steel plant of POSCO to be set up near Paradip port in Jagatsinghpur.

Mr Bijoy Mohapatra senior BJP leader and former irrigation minister describing the decision as anti farmer and anti people accused the state of favouring big industrial houses and not farmers.

Mr Mohapatra said the state had decided to allot water to the POSCO plant without water management or route plans and if happens, it will affect Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Bargarh districts.

Mr Jual Oram president of BJP state said that “We are not opposed to industrialisation. But we certainly oppose the diversion of water meant for irrigation.”

Jobra barrage feeds water to Taladanda canal which is used by farmers of Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts.

(Sourced from The Telegraph)