The house allowed Leader of Opposition Paresh Dahanani to clarify his stand on his earlier claim that as per the Social Economic Report, only 6 lakh ha got water for irrigation.
The BJP and the Congress continued to hit out at each other over the canals being constructed as part of the Sardar Sarovar Project. A mild ruckus was also created over the issue of Kathakar Morari Bapu. The Speaker was forced to point out that both the concerned parties were correct as far as their data is concerned.
The house allowed Leader of Opposition Paresh Dahanani to clarify his stand on his earlier claim that as per the Social Economic Report, only 6 lakh ha got water for irrigation. It also gave deputy chief minister Nitin Patel to explain the state's stand.
Dhanani told the house that on page 15 of the report it has clearly stated that though the irrigation potential created was up to 16.11 lakh, the maximum area irrigated/utilised was only around 6 lakh ha.
Dhanani said that the Narmada water that was not being utilised; the water flowing into the sea could have actually helped irrigate 18 lakh ha land in the state. "This could have doubled farmers' income and made a considerable contribution to the GDP of the state," said Dhanani.
Patel, on his part, said that if someone chooses to pick a part of a statement and make allegations, there was not much the state could do. "The report clearly states that over 16 lakh ha area in the state has a facility of canals," said Patel. When asked why Narmada water was not available, Patel said if someone asked how many houses in the state had electricity the government would give that figure. "Now, if someone chooses not to switch on their lights it doesn't mean the state has failed to provide electricity," said Patel.
Dhanani immediately jumped in to say that to believe that Narmada water would be available and farmers will not use it is laughable. "Though the canals have been built, there is no water. The state should ensure that Narmada water is available to farmers and even the Congress will support them in this endeavour," said Dhanani. He said the government should in fact announce if it has any plans to ensure that the Narmada water is made available to them.
Morari Bapu row
Once again a mention of Kathakar Morari Bapu had both the BJP and Congress MLAs engage in a war of words. The Saffron party accused the Opposition of defaming saints while the Congress said the ruling party was trying to sweep under the carpet Rs 12,000 crore scam by making false allegations
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