Expert Committee to examine water distribution from Hirakud Dam

Bhubaneswar, Jun 2 (UNI) The Orissa government will constitute a high level expert committee to examine the distribution of water from the Hirakud Reservoir, Steel and Mines Minister Padmanav Behera told the State Assembly today.

Replying to the admissibility of an adjournment motion on the farmers move against the distribution of water from the dam to the Industrial houses, Mr Behera said the state government would accord priority in providing water from the dam for agriculture.

He promised the house that the farmers and the farming would be protected and the government would ensure that the interests of the farmers would not be affected at any cost in the distribution of water from Hirakud reservoir.

Mr Behera said during 1990 an estimation was made to provide maximum 350 million acre foot water to the industrial houses from the reservoir which accounted for only nine per cent of the total availability of water in the dam.

The Minister said till date the government has kept the water distribution from the Dam to the industrial houses as per the limit fixed in 1990.

He also allayed the apprehension of the members that irrigation during Rabi and Khariff would be affected if water from the reservoir was supplied to the industrial houses.

Mr Behera said the requirement of water for the industries and plants was decided by Water Allocation Committee (WAC) comprising experienced engineers in the state. The Committee, he said, while taking into account the water storage, recommended the water to be allotted to the industrial houses.

UNI