Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 9 (ANI): Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.Okay. Shivakumar, who oversees the irrigation portfolio, introduced on Wednesday that he has requested funding amounting to Rs 11,122.76 crore for the event of six irrigation initiatives throughout the state.
Addressing a press convention at Karnataka Bhawan, Shivakumar mentioned, ‘We have appealed to the Centre for Rs 11,122.76 funds for six irrigation initiatives within the state – Rs 804.66 crore for Sonnathi elevate irrigation venture; Rs 2,660.70 crore for Indi department canal in Upper Krishna venture; Rs 3000 crore for third stage of Malaprabha canal; Rs 1,44.42 crore for Ghataprabha proper bund canal and Chikkodi department canal; Rs 1610 crore for flood prevention venture at Benne Halla. We have learnt that one venture has been authorised, however we’re but to obtain official affirmation.’
‘We have additionally appealed for 25% of the funds for the Yettinahole venture, as it’s a ingesting water venture. There have been some problems for the venture as a result of Forest Department not issuing clearance. The Union Minister for Environment has assured that the difficulty could be resolved quickly,’ he mentioned.
Replying to a query on the Upper Bhadra venture, Shivakumar mentioned, ‘We have requested for funds for this venture too. We have submitted the revised price estimates as requested by the Centre, and so they have mentioned the funds could be launched. There is not any assure till the funds hit the state authorities’s account.’
When pointed to repeated guarantees however no motion by the Centre on the discharge of funds for the Upper Bhadra venture, he mentioned, ‘You must ask the Centre if they do not have funds or they’re doing politics over this. They had requested concerning the expenditure on the venture until now, and we have now submitted all of the related paperwork.’
Asked why the Rs 5,300 funds for Upper Bhadra are getting delayed regardless of the Centre saying it, he mentioned, ‘What to do? The Congress authorities got here to energy within the state.’
Shivakumar additional mentioned, ‘Goa has mentioned that we have now objected to its request to put an influence transmission line by means of Karnataka. We have instructed them that we might assist them in the event that they assist us on the Kalasa-Bhanduri venture. The Union Environment Minister has instructed us that he’ll convey his opinion on this in per week. I’ve knowledgeable him that I might meet him earlier than the Monsoon session of the Parliament.’
He additionally defined, ‘The Centre had given a go-ahead for the Kalasa-Bhanduri venture when Karnataka had a BJP authorities. Based on that approval, our authorities had referred to as for tenders. But the Goa authorities issued us a present trigger discover in 2023, and the case is within the court docket now. We have introduced this concern to the eye of the Union Environment Minister. Goa doesn’t have any locus standi to object to work in our state. We have already moved court docket relating to this.’
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the federal government has requested approval for the Detailed Project Report of the Mekedatu venture.
‘We have appealed to the Union Jal Shakthi minister to offer us approval for the DPR of the Mekedatu venture. The DPR is consistent with the order given by the Cauvery Water Management Authority. We have instructed the Union minister to submit its report back to the court docket in order that the court docket can cross a judgment. We have additionally conveyed to the minister that the venture advantages Tamil Nadu. He has assured us that he would converse to Tamil Nadu about this.’
‘A gathering on sharing of Krishna water was cancelled final time, and the Union Jal Shakthi minister has assured us {that a} assembly could be scheduled in July itself. Though the Tribunal’s order has allowed us to extend the peak of the Alamatti dam, we’re not allowed to do it because the Centre has but to concern a Gazette notification on the identical. I’ve appealed to the Union minister to name for a gathering amongst Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He has assured that the assembly could be held earlier than the Parliament session,’ he mentioned.
Union Minister V Somanna accompanied DK Shivakumar throughout his conferences with the Union Minister for Environment and the Union Minister for Jal Shakthi. (ANI)