Centre stalling Karnataka’s irrigation projects by not giving clearances despite favourable judgments: DKS

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has expressed disappointment over the Centre not giving necessary approvals to the Krishna, the Mahadayi, and other irrigation projects despite court orders being in favour of Karnataka, thereby stalling them.

Speaking at the launch of his book Neera Hejje, which focuses on various facets of Karnataka’s water resources and related issues, he said: “The Centre has not issued a Gazette notification on sharing the Krishna waters. Maharashtra which agreed to the judgment is opposing it today. The Mahadayi project is facing objections from the Forest Department in spite of the Supreme Court clearance.”

Mr. Shivakumar said five of the 10 inter-State river water disputes were connected to Karnataka, adding that there has been no help despite meeting the Union Water Resources Minister five times. Karnataka is planning to set up a separate Water Commission in the State to study drinking water and irrigation projects, he added.

He added that BJP MPs from Karnataka have failed to raise the issue in Parliament.

CRMA’s next action

Speaking on the occasion in a similar tenor, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused the NDA partners, the BJP and the JD(S), of not raising water or financial matters pertaining to Karnataka with the Centre. He further said Karnataka is not sure what the Cauvery River Management Authority (CRMA) will do next over the permission for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir.

“The Mekedatu project can be implemented only after the permission is given. Tamil Nadu is opposing the project for political reasons and not based on facts. In fact, during the rainfall deficit years, it is Tamil Nadu that benefits from the project,” the Chief Minister said.

“After the Supreme Court dismissed the petition against the project, we are not sure what CRMA will do. In all inter-State water disputes, Karnataka has not benefited completely,” he added.

Big tracts of dry land

Stressing on the importance of completing irrigation projects, he said that Karnataka has the second largest dry land area after Rajasthan. “While the total yield of water from rivers in Karnataka is about 3,440 tmcft, the allocated share to be used is 1,272 tmcft. We have to utilise our allocated share. But when we try to use it, there are disputes.”

The BJP and the JD(S), he said, do not speak for Karnataka at all. “What has the BJP, which accuses us, done? The BJP MPs do not raise water issues in Parliament. The JD(S), which speaks about rivers, has not raised the river and finance issues too. People need to know this.”

He further said: “Who has to give forest and environmental clearance for Mahadayi? You (BJP) ask us to talk to Chief Ministers of Goa and Tamil Nadu. Has Union Minister Pralhad Joshi spoken to Water Resources Minister ever? Has he spoken about solving the dispute?”