Pramesh S Jain & Yogesh K Porwar
C
M to lead an all party delegation to Centre if needed
The State government would initiate measures to get approval from the Cauvery Water Management Authority(CWMA) and Union Environment Ministry to take up Mekedatu project as early as possible.
A decision to this effect has been taken at the meeting of all party floor leaders of both houses of State Legislature on ‘Inter-State Water Disputes’Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting with the floor leaders,former Water Resources ministers and senior officers,Bommai said,a detailed discussion on Mekedatu project has happened in the CWMA.
It has come to our notice that the proceedings of the meeting have not been recorded. Action would be taken to take up the issue with CWMA and the Union Water Resources minister to document the proceedings.
Moves would be initiated to get clearance from CWMA in its next meeting and also approval from the Union Environment ministry.”
Bommai also said that the State Water Resources minister would visit Delhi next week to meet the Union Water Resources minister in this regard.
I am also heading to Delhi immediately after the conclusion of the State Legislature session to take up the issue with Union ministers.After all these initiatives, if necessary,I will lead an all party delegation to New Delhi.
As for the Mahadayi project,action would be taken to get Environmental clearance for implementing the project to utilise Karnataka’s share of water already allocated,Bommai said.
Referring to Upper Krishna Project Phase-3, the Chief Minister said,Union government is yet to issue the Gazette Notification.
Two Judges of the Supreme Court Bench which was to hear State’s petition have recused themselves from the Bench.
We will file an application before the Chief Justice for appointment of new judges,Bommai said.
The meeting also discussed the proposed inter-linking of rivers project of the Union government.
We have urged the Union government to first clarify on the quantum of water that would be allocated for Karnataka.
State would decide its stand only after knowing the quantum of its share of water.
The opposition parties have sought details on the technical report of the project. It will be provided once we receive it,” Bommai said.
Water Resources minister Govind Karjol,Law minister,JC Madhuswamy, Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah,his Council counterpart BK Hariprasad,Congress leaders,HK Patil,DK Shivakumar,MB Patil,JD(S) leaders Bandeppa Kashempur, Legal experts and senior officers participated in the meeting.
