16-05-2025
Issues Become Complex When States Are Governed By Different Parties: CR Patil On Water-Sharing Disputes
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When asked about the Cauvery water dispute, Patil replied that the matter is still ongoing.
Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil mentioned that inter-state water disputes often arise because political leaders and party figures push for allocations beyond their entitlement.
'When states are governed by different parties, the issue becomes more complex. Political leaders often demand more water than they are authorised to, which eventually creates an environment that, if any commitment is made for less than that, then the people there become against it," he said.
Patil was speaking at the Powering Bharat Summit 2025, organised by Network18 in collaboration with Moneycontrol, News18 India, and CNBC Awaaz.
He noted that while the government has no authority over the positions taken by political parties, it is focusing on key development projects under the Modi government's jurisdiction, such as the Ken-Betwa project, expected to be completed by 2030, and the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP).
According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the ERCP link project aims to provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, Malwa, and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh. An MoU was signed by the two states for this project last year. Meanwhile, the Ken-Betwa Link Project, with a cost of over 44,000 crore rupees, is expected to benefit millions in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
First Published:
May 16, 2025, 19:12 IST
