Congress, BJP exchange barbs on SAUNI scheme

GANDHINAGAR: Shankersinh Vaghela, the leader of opposition (LOP) in the state assembly and a senior Congress figure, has called into question the benefits of SAUNI (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation Yojana).
"Records of Narmada dating back a 100 years clearly show that the flood span is between eight and 15 days only during monsoon's peak," Vaghela said."In this period, Saurashtra also receives good rain. So what is the point in providing water during the monsoon?"
Vaghela said that the BJP says 3 million acre feet of excess water would be harnessed by the project. "However, Gujarat has no right on this water according to the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal order," he said.
"So if Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, or Rajasthan claim this excess water what will happen to SAUNI?" In 2024, the order would be reviewed, he said. "Gujarat has not used even its 9 million acre feet of water all these years on the assumption that other states may demand a cut in Gujarat's share," he said. "The government has ignored all these facts. After fooling North Gujarat's people in the name of Sujalam Sufalam, Narendra Modi is now misleading the people of Saurashtra."
Vaghela said Modi could have given a hearing to Patidar youth or met dalits who were not too far away from the venue where Modi addressed a rally. "But instead of talking about Gujarat's local problems, the PM talks only of general issues without any focus," he said. "It was clearly meant as an election pitch."
Countering Vaghela, deputy CM and government spokesperson Nitin Patel said: "I invite Congress leaders to visit the SAUNI project sites and then speak." Patel said the Congress members were trying to mislead people.
"Lakhs of people attended the event, which itself shows the people's support for PM Modi and the BJP," he said.