Jaipur, July 7 (IANS) In a significant step towards strengthening cooperative federalism and resolving long-pending inter-state disputes, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday signed a historic agreement to settle outstanding payments related to the Narmada Award.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. Senior officials from the Centre and the four states also attended the meeting.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on his X handle that a historic and amicable agreement was reached today in New Delhi, chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and attended by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, to resolve long-pending payment issues related to the Narmada Award among Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
He said the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the spirit of cooperative federalism have once again demonstrated that amicable solutions to complex, long-standing issues are possible through dialogue, coordination, and firm resolve.
He added that this decision will strengthen water security, infuse new energy into inter-state coordination, and ensure far-reaching benefits for farmers and public welfare.
He said Rajasthan is proud to be a partner in this historic initiative, and this decision regarding the Sardar Sarovar Project will yield long-term benefits for farmers, particularly in Rajasthan’s border districts of Jalore and Barmer, and significantly bolster the state’s water security.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to PM Modi, Union Home Minister Shah, Union Jal Shakti Minister Patil, and the chief ministers of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra for this historic initiative.
The agreement resolves the decades-old dispute over cost-sharing for the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project through a one-time settlement mechanism, bringing closure to long-pending financial claims among the beneficiary states.
Addressing the gathering, Shah described the agreement as a landmark achievement in inter-state cooperation. He said the dispute over outstanding Narmada Award payments had persisted for years but had now been resolved amicably through consensus.
Shah credited PM Modi’s leadership for promoting cooperative federalism and strengthening water security through several historic initiatives.
He said the presence of “double-engine” governments in many states had improved coordination, reduced political friction, and enabled the speedy resolution of long-standing disputes. Shah praised the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra for their constructive approach in reaching the agreement.
He noted that the Sardar Sarovar Project has significantly benefited all participating states by providing irrigation, drinking water, and electricity.
Referring to Rajasthan, Shah said that although the state’s share of water may appear limited, the arrival of Narmada water has dramatically improved agricultural productivity, increased land values, and transformed the lives of farmers in the beneficiary regions.
Shah also highlighted the Centre’s efforts to resolve inter-state water disputes under the leadership of Union Jal Shakti Minister Patil. He cited the recent settlement of the Rajasthan-Haryana water dispute and progress on the Kishau Dam project as examples of successful cooperative federalism.
Shah said whether water is used in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana or Maharashtra, the ultimate beneficiary is an Indian citizen, emphasising that water resources should be managed in the national interest rather than through regional considerations.
He further urged states to resolve disputes by keeping the larger national interest in mind, stating that the progress of one state ultimately contributes to the prosperity of the entire country.
–IANS
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