Explanation:

The state government of Rajasthan, has strongly objected to the Centre government’s recent missive to halt work on the proposed Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) until issues with Madhya Pradesh are resolved.

According to the Rajasthan government, the directive has not only rejected the State’s objections but is also not in adherence to the spirit of cooperative federalism.

In an all-party meeting on Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project convened recently, the state government reiterated the project’s significance for the State and offered to send a team of experts to the Centre for holding talks on its technical aspects.

Rajasthan has maintained that it was utilising its share of water within its own borders and the “lack of consent” by other States was irrelevant.

Though the Ashok Gehlot led Rajasthan government has been demanding national project status for quite some time for the ambitious project. The project is set to benefit 13 districts with over 3.5 crore population through the interlinking of the Parvati, Kali Sindh and Chambal rivers.

The Union Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary however, recently wrote to the State’s Chief Secretary directing a pause on work to take Madhya Pradesh’s concerns on board.