Bengaluru: Convinced by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s strong and effective appeal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed the Jal Shakti Ministry to decide on the water share allocation to respective basin states before preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Palar river linking project.
Speaking to reporters here on his return from Tirupati after attending the Southern Zonal Council meeting held on Nov 14 in the temple town, Bommai said, “Many issues related to southern states were resolved at the meeting. Amit Shah ji, who chaired the meeting, instructed the Jal Shakti ministry officials to consider Karnataka’s forceful stand to decide on the share of waters of the states before proceeding to prepare the DPR.”
Bommai also stated that he had strongly urged the union government to take appropriate measures to issue the gazette notification on Krishna Water Tribunal-2 award. “I made a strong presentation on the irrigation projects of the state at the meet,” he said.
The meeting also discussed providing necessary land for the Metro Rail project in Bengaluru. Shah also asked the states to initiate measures to avoid use of antibiotics in fishing, quick disposal of POCSO cases, filing of charge sheets in a given time frame, Bommai said. The Mekedatu project too was raised, but it could not be taken up for discussion as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister did not attend the meeting.
The Union Water Resources minister would be urged to remove the obstacles for implementation of the Mekedatu project. “The issue was discussed with Legal experts during my recent visit to Delhi,” Bommai said.
Referring to the water dispute with Tamil Nadu, Bommai further said, “The dispute has been lingering from the pre-independence time. Tamil Nadu has been indulging in politics over river water sharing. The neighboring state has been raising objections even after the Cauvery Tribunal pronounced its award. We too have submitted our objections against Tamil Nadu’s stand. These issues should be resolved judicially.”
Replying to a question on progress of the Peripheral Ring Road project, the Chief Minister said that two meetings had been held in this regard. A few changes had been made in the proposed project. It will be finalized soon.
