Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 2: Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring drinking water supply as the top priority, following a meeting with a delegation of farmers demanding water release for irrigation.
Led by minister Sharanabasappa Gowda Darshanapur, representatives of the Karnataka State Farmers' Association and Farmers' Army met Shivakumar at his Sadashivanagar residence on Wednesday. They urged the government to release water from the right and left canals of the Narayanapur Basavasagar Reservoir until April 15 to sustain standing crops across 89,000 hectares.
Shivakumar acknowledged their concerns but pointed out that farmers had been advised against sowing a second crop due to water constraints. He emphasized the need for states to resolve water-sharing disputes amicably rather than seeking intervention from the central government. Additionally, he confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding Krishna river water issues.
Responding to political opposition over price hikes, Shivakumar criticized the BJP's protests against milk price increases, calling them "anti-farmer." He argued that milk and curd remain more affordable in Karnataka compared to other states and challenged BJP leaders to lower fuel and cattle fodder prices if they genuinely cared for the public.
Regarding the revised water tariffs in Bengaluru, he justified the nominal increase of one paisa per litre, citing the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s (BWSSB) Rs 1,000 crore annual losses. He assured that the price adjustment would not burden the underprivileged and stressed the importance of raising public awareness about water conservation.
On waste management, Shivakumar accused the BJP of politicizing the cess issue, highlighting that the law was enacted by the central government and later enforced by the state BJP government in 2022. He said efforts were underway to reduce the financial strain on citizens while ensuring transparency through public notices.
Taking aim at union minister H D Kumaraswamy, he noted that Kumaraswamy’s own brother chairs a milk cooperative and has the authority to lower milk prices. "Let’s see if he reduces the price by Rs 4 in Hassan," he remarked, reaffirming the state government's commitment to supporting farmers and local governance.