Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
H
ighlights of the press conference:
*Drought relief to be released at the earliest.
*MGNREGA work should be increased to 150 days.
*The allotment should be released to Upper Bhadra project as promised.
*Environment clearance for Mahadayi project should be sanctioned.
*Permission to initiate Mekedatu project.
We have appealed for the fulfillment of these five demands.
* High level committee meeting has not been held till date regarding the drought relief.Hence,the farmers of the state are unable to get the relief from the central government.
* The Prime Minister listened to our request. It is requested to give necessary directions to Amit Shah.
* There is a provision in the law to extend MGNREGA work from 100 to 150 days compulsorily in drought conditions.It is nearly three months since we submitted our request for the increase.As our request is not materialized,we have again demanded to resolve the issue immediately.
* Gazette notification on Mahadayi has already been issued.There is no obstacle except the environment clearance which has to be given by the Centre.Tenders are called and estimates are also made.The work can be initiated immediately after receiving the centre’s clearance.Therefore request is also made to give the clearance at the earliest.
* Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced Rs.5300 crores in the budget for Upper Bhadra Project.Based on this,former CM Bommai had also announced the same.Not a single rupee is released till today.
This shows the lack of commitment of the centre and previous BJP government.We have urged to release the amount as assurance.
* Mekedatu is a drinking water project.
A project which will be constructed within the state boundaries.The Tamilnadu government is posing resistance for political reasons.
Tamilnadu will be more benefitted by the project. Karnataka can produce 400 megawatts of electricity along with drinking water.After generating electricity, the water will flow to Tamilnadu which will again benefit them.
* Bengaluru and Ramanagara district will get drinking water from Mekedatu Project.Therefore,we have brought this issue to the notice of the Prime Minister and urged him to give necessary permission for Mekedatu .
*We are ready to approach the center with all party delegation for Mahadayi,Mekedatu,Bhadra upper bank projects.
*selection of chairman for Corporation Board will be final soon.First MLAs followed by workers will be considered.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give directions to hold a High Power Committee meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah and provide drought relief to the state immediately.
He was speaking to the media after his meeting with PM Modi and gave details.A High Power Committee meeting under Home Minister,Amit Shah should be held to get drought relief for the state.
But even after submitting our request three times to the Centre, they have not conducted even a preliminary meeting.
Therefore, request has been made to the Prime Minister to give directions to hold an urgent meeting for the release of drought relief as soon as possible,he said.
We have submitted requests for main five demands. The Prime Minister peacefully listened and responded to our plea.We look forward for a positive response and early release of the relief,the CM said.
*An anti-democratic act:
*This is the first time in the history of Parliament that 141 MPs have been suspended at once.The suspension of 141 MPs is beyond dictatorship.This cannot be termed as democracy.
*Debate is the root of democracy.A good government can exist only when there is a strong opposition party.
*There should be a healthy environment to tell the mistakes of the government.It is a shame to run parliament with only MPs from their party.
* Caste census report has not been submitted. Some are opposing by making assumptions.We are not sure as to when the report will be submitted.
