Gujarat’s Narmada Yojana Partners Owe Rs 7,576 Crore

In a recent revelation, Minister and state government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel disclosed that Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, the three partner states for the Narmada Yojana, collectively owe Gujarat a staggering amount of Rs 7,576 crore. 

The outstanding debt has sparked disputes, with Rs 5,144 crore, constituting 68% of the total amount, under contention. Despite ongoing discussions, substantial portions of the owed funds remain unresolved. 

Patel noted that Gujarat has received Rs 1,002 crore in the past decade and Rs 4,868 crore since the project’s inception, emphasizing the state’s commitment to project completion by 2025-26.

Disputed Debt and Project Completion:

The revelation of the outstanding debt, particularly the significant portion under dispute, underscores challenges in reconciling financial obligations among partner states. 

Despite concerted efforts to recover owed funds, disputes persist, complicating timelines for completing the Narmada Yojana project, slated for 2025-26.

Financial Implications and Loan Dependency:

Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia raised concerns about the impact of the outstanding debt on Gujarat’s financial health, suggesting that recovering owed funds could alleviate the need for additional loans. 

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan owe substantial sums, with Madhya Pradesh accounting for the largest share of Rs 5,225 crore, followed by Maharashtra with Rs 1,778 crore and Rajasthan with Rs 571 crore.

Legislative Response and Budgetary Approvals:

Despite the debt dispute, budgetary demands for the Narmada Yojana received unanimous approval in the legislative assembly. 

The bipartisan support underscores the importance of the project for the state’s development agenda despite ongoing challenges related to financial obligations and debt recovery.

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