Latest news with #Mahadayi
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mahadayi back to the forefront after Goa CM's statement; farmers want action and not politics
The long-pending Mahadayi project is again in the news following the Goa Chief Minister's statement in the Legislative Assembly about Union Minister for Forest and Environment Bhupendra Yadav's 'assurance' that the project will not be approved. While the Karnataka government has already taken exception to this, farmers' organisations fighting for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project (which is part of the Mahadayi project) are now up in arms against political parties, particularly the BJP, as the recent statement comes from its dispensation. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil have condemned the statement of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and said that such development was not only an 'injustice to the federal system' but also indicated the stepmotherly treatment meted out to Karnataka by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. BJP on the back foot The development has put the BJP leaders from the State on the back foot, particularly Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi and others, including Arvind Bellad, who hitherto used to refer to the then AICC president Sonia Gandhi's statement against the project during an election campaign. Mr. Joshi has issued a statement saying that the Goa Chief Minister had made a 'personal statement' and it had nothing to do with the Union government. Emphasising that it was not time for politicising the issue, Mr. Joshi has said that after his earlier meeting with Mr. Yadav on the Mahadayi issue, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had said that Mr. Yadav would not do politics over the issue and that he was pro-development. Other BJP leaders in the region, including Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Mr. Bellad, and former Minister Shankar Patil Munenakoppa too have taken a similar line. However, farmers' organisations, which have been fighting for the implementation of the long-pending project, have not taken the statement lightly and have condemned it in strong terms. At the same time, they have urged politicians on both sides of the divide not to use the issue for their politics. 'Exert pressure together' President of the Karnataka Raita Sene Shankrappa Ambali has said that instead of again indulging in the blame game, all the Members of Parliament from Karnataka should exert pressure on the Union government to get the required clearances as the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal had already given its verdict, and the DPR had also been approved. 'What is now required is getting required clearances and the MPs should make concerted efforts in this regard,' he said. Veeresh Sobaradmath Swami, who has been leading an indefinite agitation for the project at Naragund in Gadag district, not only termed Mr. Sawanth's statement as 'highly condemnable', but also Mr. Joshi's reaction to it as 'highly irresponsible'. He said he would would be convening a farmers' meeting at Naragund on July 31 to chalk out the course of action. While the demand for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project is over four decades old, an indefinite agitation was launched at Naragund on July 16, 2015, and amid various ups and downs, the stir has been continued by farmers who are insistent on getting the project implemented. Now their demand is that the Centre should give all clearances for the project to be executed to utilise the water allocated by the tribunal.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP leaders must speak up on Mahadayi project, says minister Laxmi Hebbalkar
Belagavi: "It is not right for the Goa govt to say that it will not permit the Mahadayi project. BJP leaders must speak up on this issue," said minister for women and child development Laxmi Hebbalkar. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, the minister said that the BJP leaders claimed during the Lok Sabha elections that Goa gave permission for the Mahadayi project and used it as a political tool while distributing sweets in celebration. "Now, answers must come from them," she asserted. Rejecting allegations by the Goa CM that the Karnataka govt is politicising the Mahadayi issue, the minister clarified that the state govt has no need to politicise matters related to drinking water, health, or education. Responding to recent attacks on Kannadigas in Goa, the minister strongly condemned the incidents. "Whether it is Karnataka or Goa, both are integral parts of India. I condemn the attacks on Kannadigas. Such acts are completely wrong," she said. She pointed out that many people from Goa come to Karnataka, and Karnataka residents also visit Goa. "Goa's economy depends on people from other states. Goa govt must ensure that visitors and tourists from other states are not harassed," minister Hebbalkar urged. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo She also said that the Goa govt must not remain silent on the attacks against Kannadigas and that she would bring the issue to the attention of HK Patil, the minister in charge of border affairs. 'No meeting held by Surjewala with officials' Meanwhile, Hebbalkar clarified that State Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has not held any meetings with govt officials. "He only met with ministers and discussed how they are performing in terms of public service," she said. "Surjewala meets with ministers and MLAs once in every three months. It is not an evaluation meeting. He only gathers information about departmental activities," she added. When asked about minister KN Rajanna's recent statement that a revolution would happen in Sept, Hebbalkar responded, "Ours is a party that listens to the high command. CM and deputy CM have already given a clear explanation. I do not wish to comment further on this," she said.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka Dy CM Shivakumar slams Goa CM Pramod Sawant, says State will start Mahadayi work
BENGALURU: Lashing out at Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for his statement that the Union Environment Ministry would not give permission for Karnataka's Mahadayi project, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that the state would start the work. 'We will withdraw our petition from the Supreme Court and start the work. I will see who stops it,' the DyCM, who also holds the water resources portfolio, said. Sawant had told the Goa Assembly on Tuesday that he was told by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav that the Centre would not permit Mahadayi project. 'Goa CM has lost his mental balance; he doesn't respect the federal system. The tribunal has given its verdict on Mahadayi, and we have already called for the tender. BJP leaders, including Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, had even celebrated that the project would take off soon,' Shivakumar said. 'I will meet all the MPs from Karnataka and seek their support. This is a matter of self-respect for the state. It is wrong on the part of the state MPs not to raise their voice. We can't sell our state just for one MP from Goa. I urge the MPs from the state to put pressure on the Centre. I will try to take an all-party delegation to Delhi,' he said, adding that an all-party MPs meeting would be called. 'The Union Jal Shakthi minister is impartial on the matter, he won't do politics on this. I have met him four-five times. The Union Environment Minister will also not do politics on this issue. Both of them support development works. The issue is with Goa,' Shivakumar clarified.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
We will start Mahadayi works, dare Goa CM to stop it: DKS
Bengaluru: Lashing out at Goa Chief Minister for his statement that the Union Environment Ministry would not give permission for Karnataka's Mahadayi project, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the state would start the work. 'Goa CM Pramod Sawant has said that the Centre would not give environmental clearance for Mahadayi project. We will withdraw our application from the Supreme Court and start the work. I will see who stops it,' the DCM, who also handles the Irrigation portfolio, said while speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha. He was replying to a journalist who drew his attention to Goa CM's statement that the Centre would not give permission for Mahadayi project. 'Goa CM has lost his mental balance, he doesn't respect the federal system. The Tribunal has given its verdict on Mahadayi and we have already called for the tender. BJP leaders, including Basavaraj Bommai and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi had even celebrated that the Mahadayi project would take off soon post promise of approval by the Centre,' he said. 'I will meet all the MPs from the state and seek their support. This is a matter of self-respect for the party. It is wrong on the part of the state MPs not to raise their voice on this issue. We can't sell our state just for one MP from Goa. I urge the MPs from the state to put pressure on the Centre. I will try to take an all-party delegation to Delhi,' he said. Asked if he would call an all-party meeting on this, he said he has already announced that an all-party meeting would be called. Asked if the Union Minister was misleading the state on Mahadayi, he said, 'The Union Jal Shakthi minister is impartial on the matter, he won't do politics on this. I have met him four-five times. The Union Environment Minister will also not do politics on this issue. Both of them support development works. The issue is with Goa.' Replying to a question on Rahul Gandhi's allegation of vote stealing during Lok Sabha election, he said, 'I agree with his statement. I have also started my own investigation regarding this in Bengaluru Rural constituency. Many irregularities have taken place here too.'
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
D.K. Shivakumar asserts that Karnataka will go ahead with Mahadayi project
Taking serious exception to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for his statement that the Union Environment Ministry would not give permission for Karnataka's Mahadayi project, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has asserted that the State would start work on the project. The Deputy Chief Minister also reiterated that the State would try to take an all-party leaders' delegation to Delhi to convince the Centre about the need to provide all clearances for the proposed project. He said he would also meet all the MPs from Karnataka to seek their support. 'We will withdraw our application in this regard from the Supreme Court and start the work on the project,' said Mr. Shivakumar, who also holds the Water Resources portfolio. 'The tribunal concerned has given its verdict on Mahadayi and we have already called for tender. BJP leaders, including Basavaraj Bommai and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, had even celebrated saying that the Mahadayi project would take off soon post the promise of approval by the Centre,' he said. He said it was wrong on the part of the State MPs not to raise their voice on this issue. 'I urge the MPs from the State to put pressure on the Centre. I will try to take an all-party delegation to Delhi,' he said. Asked if the Union Minister was 'misleading' the State on Mahadayi, he said: 'The Union Jal Shakti Minister is impartial on the matter and he won't politicise this. I have already met him four-five times. The Union Environment Minister will also not indulge in politics on this issue. Both of them support development works. The issue is with Goa.' Replying to a query on Rahul Gandhi's allegation of vote stealing during Lok Sabha election, he said: 'I agree with his statement. I have also started my own investigation regarding this in Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency. Many irregularities have taken place here too.'
