Congress failed to resolve water disputes between states for decades: MP CM Yadav

Kalapipal (MP), Jul 9 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday alleged that instead of resolving water disputes between states, the Congress pitted farmers against one another and kept these issues pending for decades. During Congress governments, the states of south India were pitted against each other over water distribution, which resulted in farmers' blood flowing in the rivers, while Congressmen enjoyed themselves, Yadav said addressing a programme in Kalapipal town of Shajapur district. "Their job was to divide and rule. The British left, but these Congressmen took over the country and did nothing," he alleged. Yadav said the dispute between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over water continued for 20-30 years. "However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Parvati-Kalisindh project issue was resolved. This solution will benefit 15 districts in Rajasthan and 13 in MP. The Union government will bear 90 percent of the cost of this project," Yadav pointed out. The chief minister said people of Bundelkhand are very resilient, but they used to migrate due to water shortage. "Now, we have signed an MoU with Uttar Pradesh regarding the Ken-Betwa river. This project will provide water to the entire Bundelkhand region. Similarly, we have signed an agreement with Maharashtra," he added. Referring to the recently resolved Sardar Sarovar Project dispute, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh was supposed to pay Rs 1,500 crore for the SSP, but now we will have to pay only Rs 231 crore. "This is our way of working. We have resolved all the issues," the CM said. Talking about Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Yadav said, "Why should there be separate laws for Hindus and Muslims? There should be only one law. Muslim sisters are also our sisters. What happens to them will no longer be tolerated. One nation, one constitution, one leader, and one national anthem are essential for the self-respect of these women." It is because of this that the state government will strive to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the assembly this month, Yadav said. Referring to the growing pace of industrialisation in the state, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh has seen investment of Rs 10 lakh crore. "A PepsiCo plant is coming up near you. This company will buy potatoes from you," Yadav told the gathering. He also advised farmers to build homestays on their land along the roadside and said the government will not ask for a separate electricity bill for them. On the occasion, Yadav also inaugurated and performed ground-breaking for various developmental projects costing Rs 30.86 crore in Shajapur district. PTI MAS BNM