In a landmark development in inter-state affairs, Bihar and Jharkhand have formally inked an agreement on water allocation from the Sone River, putting to rest a tussle that has been raging for almost 25 years.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), termed the development as an example of “cooperative federalism”, and said the accord will help increase irrigation and water supply capacity of both states.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti CR Patil, Chief Ministers of Bihar and Jharkhand – Samrat Choudhary and Hemant Soren, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and other central and state government officials. Earlier reporting noted: Bihar, Jharkhand sign agreement on sharing Sone River water Bihar and Jharkhand signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sharing Sone River water on Monday. The minister added that each state has its own agenda and priorities, but solutions arise only when the governments come together for the greater good of the nation. The Home Minister further added that the accord will serve as an example of how even disputes relating to agriculture, development of rural areas and water resources could be sorted out through consensus among the states. The agreement was inked in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
“The signing of MoU is in line with the vision of cooperative federalism by the visionary Prime Minister of India,” said Shah. Reports said the agreement will lead to an improvement in irrigation facility and water supply in the districts of Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya and Patna of Bihar, and districts like Palamu and Garhwa in Jharkhand. Shah said the agreement had resolved a long-pending water dispute in eastern India. He said it would provide irrigation water to lakhs of farmers in rural Bihar and Jharkhand and drinking water for a large population. Earlier reporting noted: He also stated that the agreement was an “excellent” example of the ‘Team Bharat’ vision and cooperative federalism championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier reporting noted: Mr.
