From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 30: Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday directed his department officials to get ready to implement Mekedatu and Mahadayi irrigation projects on priority basis.

Addressing a meeting of senior officials of his department, Shivakumar said the officials must strive to get financial assistance for implementing for pending irrigation projects in the State and implement the projects without delay as it will definitely create jobs.

“We have promised to spend Rs 2 lakh crore on irrigation projects over the next five years and must fulfill that promise. Let us all strive to get Central grants for the projects,’’ he said.

The deputy chief minister said the Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Sngh Shekhavat was a very nice person and the government must seek his help in getting Central grants for the irrigation projects.

He took the officials to task for not utilizing the Rs 1000 crore set apart for the Mekedatu project. “The allocation could have been utilized for land acquisition and other preliminary works,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said the irrigation department should not spend their energies merely on issuing letters of credit (LOC), tenders, and award of contracts and for billing but must personally supervise all the works.

There is no room for corruption. The government will respect and honour your honesty, integrity and hard work. “Let us not follow casteism but adhere to humanity. I have no enemity against anybody. Your loyalty must be only for the government and not those who gave your posting. I have sufficient experience in government and know now the system works. We must respect our work and remain loyal to the government,’’ he said.

Shivakumar said the officials must compare the works and projects sanctioned by the Centre to neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Maharssstra and Andhra Pradesh with those allotted to the state and make a detailed study on the injustice done to Karnataka.

“Let us meet all our MPs and Union Ministers, including the Prime Minister and fight for protecting the interests of Karnataka. We must take all the MPs into confidence and fight for the just demands of the State,’’ he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister asked the officials to furnish periodic reports including photos and video recording of all the projects executed by the department,’’ he said.

Pointing out that he had earlier served as minister in charge of the department, he said: “I know not much progress has taken place. I want detailed reports with reasons for the projects getting delayed. Let us all work together.’’

Shivakumar said the officials must exploit the tourism potential of KRS, Machanabele, Thippagondanahalli, Hemavathy reservoirs and also directed the officials to speed up the work on the Upper Bhadra Project which has been declared a national project and the necessary financial support and grants from the Centre must be availed.

The deputy chief minister said he was aware of the charges of corruption leveled by senior leaders like Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and H Vishwanath, and will verify everything.