Double-Engine Govts Reduce Differences: Shah

NEW DELHI: Four states adjoining Narmada river – Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra – Tuesday reached an agreement over their decades-old dispute related to the displacement of people in water-submerged areas and compensation for land in the river project.CMs of the four states signed the agreement on settlement of pending payment issues among the Narmada award beneficiaries in the presence of home minister Amit Shah here.After the agreement was signed, Shah said the formation of double-engine govts in several states under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi had enhanced the ability to understand one another, reduced political differences, and accelerated the resolution of many long-pending disputes across the country.“This agreement marks a historic milestone in resolving long-standing disputes among the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra relating to cost-sharing arrangements for the construction of Sardar Sarovar Project. Under the agreement, the payments to be made towards the final settlement of pending dues have been resolved through a one-time settlement,” Shah said.Appreciating the cooperation extended by the govts of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra in building a broad consensus on this important inter-state project, Shah said the project had immensely benefited Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan in particular. With the completion of the dam, water and electricity have reached every part of these states, he added.The minister further said while the benefits accruing to Rajasthan may appear modest at first glance, the areas that have received Narmada waters have witnessed a transformation in both the value of the land and the fortunes of farmers.He cited the example of the resolution of the Kishau Dam project between Haryana and Rajasthan, as well as Tuesday’s agreement, as examples of “cooperative federalism”.