From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Belagavi, Dec 18: Tendering process for the Mullabad Lift Irrigation scheme in Kalaburgai district will be done shortly, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar assured the State Legislative Council on Wednesday.

Replying to BJP member B G Patil in the Council in Belagavi Suvarna Soudha on Wednesday, Shivakumar, who is also the Irrigation Minister, said the government is committed to implementing the project and it will be done soon.

He said the previous BJP Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had allocated Rs 22,000 crore for the Water Resources Department and the department had taken up works with a total cost of Rs 28,000 crore.

The Centre had promised to release Rs 5,400 crore, which is yet to be received and the government had to slash the budget allocation to Rs 16,000 crore of which 50% of the amount goes to repaying loans and another 25% for land acquisition. Barely 25% is remaining for taking up works, he said.

Shivakumar said total works involving an outlay of Rs 1.50 lakh crore are being implemented by the department.

The Mullabad Lift irrigation scheme in Kalaburagi district costing Rs 150 crore will be taken up soon, he added.