From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 16: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has urged the Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to ensure early clearance of the Mekedatu hydel project as it was crucial for meeting the drinking water requirements of a growing metropolitan city like Bengaluru.

In a meeting with the Union Jal Shakti minister at the Kumara Kurpa Guest House, the Chief Minister held detailed one-to-one discussions on various river water issues pertaining to the State.

Yediyurappa also urged the Centre to take immediate steps to issue the necessary gazette notifications of the Mahadayi and Krishna river dispute tribunal awards to enable the State Government to go ahead with irrigation projects to utilize its share of waters.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for inter-linking of rivers in the Krishna, Cauvery, Godavari and Pennar basins in the larger interest of augmenting the water availability for meeting the irrigation requirements.

The Union Minister promised the Chief Minister that the Narendra Modi government was very much committed to implementing the river inter-linking projects as the Prime Minister was very much interested in it.

Another major demand of Karnataka was the urgent release of Rs 439 crore due to the State Government under Prime Minister’s Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) towards the execution of the Upper Tunga, Bhima Scheme, Karanja and Sri Rameshwara Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Narayanapura Left Bank Canal irrigation project.

Shekhawat promised to extend full cooperation to the State Government besides taking steps for release of funds owed under PMKSY.