Bhubaneswar, Feb. 20 -- In the Budget Session of the Odisha Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling criticized the previous government's way of handling the Mahanadi River issue. A discussion was initiated by BJD leader Prasanna Acharya on Thursday in which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition queried the current government's water management plans.

"There has been an adverse impact on Odisha after the Chhattisgarh government constructed around eight barrages on the Mahanadi River. The future of Hirakud Dam is also at stake," BJD's Prasanna Acharya said.

"After this government came to power, are there any plans made within the last eight months and if so, which are the places demarcated for storage of water in lower catc...