By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: The ruling Biju Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, Dr. Sasmit Patra on Friday raised the Mahanadi and Polavaram issues in the Upper House of the Parliament by speaking in Odia language, which was praised by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu.
After conclusion of Patra’s speech, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu appreciated the MP for speaking in “mother tongue” in the House. Naidu also sent a handwritten note to Patra mentioning “Uttam Kahuchi” (well said).
“Deeply humbled by the kind words of appreciation from Hon’ble Vice President & Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri. Venkaiah Naidu, who mentioned “Uttam Kahuchi” in Odia and “Dhanyavad Aapko” after my speech today in Zero Hour on the issues of Mahanadi and Polavaram affecting Odisha.Hon’ble VP & Chairman, Rajya Sabha appreciated me on my Zero Hour Submission, saying “Uttam Kahuchi” in Odia & “Dhanyavad Aapko”. He then sent a beautiful hand-written note, which im placing here with his permission. Thank you Hon’ble Sir for your greatness and kindness,” MP Patra twitted.
Raising the issues during the Zero Hour, Patra said, “In 2016, the Odisha Government had filed a petition with Central Government mentioning about illegal construction of barrages by Chhattisgarh Government in the upper catchment of Mahanadi river for which around 2 crore people in 16 districts of Odisha, including the livelihood of farmers and fishermen, will be affected.”
“The Centre didn’t pay any attention, following which we moved the Supreme Court. Under the direction of the apex court, a tribunal for resolving the inter-state river water dispute was formed in March, 2018. However, the matter is yet to be resolved by the tribunal,” the MP said and sought the intervention of the Central Government in this regard.
