Mohan Majhi – Artifex.News

Mahanadi river water dispute likely to be resolved in 3 months: Majhi

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:41:00 +0000

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday expressed confidence that the long-standing Mahanadi river water dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh would be resolved within the next three months.

An important meeting held in New Delhi was attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bishnu Deo Sai, Mr. Majhi, and senior officials from both States and the Centre.

“We strongly presented Odisha’s case, highlighting our rightful share of the river, the future of our farmers, and the need to protect water resources. Discussions have begun to find a permanent solution through constructive and mutual dialogue,” Mr. Majhi told reporters.

He said follow-up meetings involving senior officials of the Central Water Commission and both States would carry the momentum forward over the next three months. “I am hopeful that, as agreed by the Chhattisgarh government, issues relating to the distribution, management, and preservation of Mahanadi waters will be resolved within this timeframe. By Diwali, the dispute should be settled,” he added.

Mr. Majhi noted that the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister also favoured a negotiated settlement. “After Chhattisgarh extended its consent for a mutual resolution, the Union Jal Shakti Minister convened the meeting, which led to highly productive discussions,” he said.

No formal agreement exists

In April, the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) had expressed dissatisfaction after both States failed to submit a concrete proposal for settlement, warning it would impose its own formula if they did not act.

The 851-km-long Mahanadi river originates in the Amarkantak hills of Chhattisgarh and flows for 494 km through Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Despite sustaining vast ecosystems and livelihoods, no formal water-sharing agreement exists between the two States.

After Chhattisgarh reportedly built over 500 anicuts and 30 barrages over the river, the scarcity of river water was felt in downstream of Mahanadi. The State government had written several letters to Chhattisgarh, but no solution could be reached out. The primary reason for the continuation of dispute was that there was no river water sharing agreement signed between the two States.

Odisha had approached the Supreme Court in 2018 over the dispute, which eventually led to the formation of the MWDT. In 2024, with the Bharatiya Janata Party in power in both States, Odisha and Chhattisgarh informed the tribunal of their intent to resolve the issue amicably.

Published – July 30, 2026 11:11 pm IST

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Probe Ordered Into Alleged Sex Assault On Army Officer’s Friend In Odisha

admin — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 01:25:07 +0000

The alleged incident took place on September 15.

Bhubaneswar:

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged torture of an Army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancee at a police station here.

The state government is committed to taking strict action against all persons or officials who are found guilty, the chief minister said.

He issued the order for judicial inquiry after a discussion with his deputy chief ministers K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Pritihiviraj Harichandan and senior officers.

According to a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the judicial inquiry will be presided over by Justice Chittaranjan Das and the report will be filed within 60 days.

The state government also requested the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police.

While emphasising on the rule of the law, Chief Minister Majhi said the state government respects the Indian Army. “The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women,” the CMO said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the state government has suspended five police personnel of the Bharatpur police station and registered a case against them over the charges of torturing the Army officer and sexually harassing his fiancee.

The state government also maintained the youths who were accused of misbehaving with the Army officer and his fiancee on the road on the night of September 15 were arrested and produced in court.

Earlier, on the instructions of the chief minister, the complainants held a meeting with the two deputy chief ministers, the revenue minister and the law minister at the State Guest House. The woman’s father and other senior serving Army officers were also present, the CMO said.

BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had demanded a court monitored SIT probe and a judicial inquiry into the incident. The opposition party has also called for a Bhubaneswar bandh on September 24.

The alleged incident took place on September 15 when an army officer posted in West Bengal and his fiancee approached Bharatpur police station to lodge a complaint of road rage in which some local youths allegedly harassed them.

However, a verbal altercation took place between the duo and some policemen following which the officer and his fiancee were allegedly assaulted at the police station.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Who Gets What. See Full List

admin — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 15:18:27 +0000

Mohan Majhi was sworn in as the state’s first BJP chief minister on Wednesday.

Bhubaneswar:

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday allocated portfolios to his council of ministers, keeping home, finance and several other departments to himself, according to an order issued by the Raj Bhavan.

Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo was given the charge of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy departments.

The other deputy chief minister Pravati Parida, a debutant MLA and the lone female in the 16-member council of ministers, has been assigned Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism department.

Mr Majhi was sworn in as the state’s first BJP chief minister here on Wednesday.

The other departments which are also held by the chief minister are general administration and public grievances, information and public relations, water resources and planning and convergence.

Veteran BJP leader Suresh Pujari was allocated Revenue and Disaster Management, while Rabi Narayan Naik, a farmer leader, was given Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water departments.

Tribal leader Nityananda Gond got school and mass education, ST&SC development, minorities & backward classes Welfare, social security & empowerment of persons with disabilities departments, the statement said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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