Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Jul 4: Minister for minor irrigation J C Madhuswamy on Sunday July 4 said that it will take another two years to complete Yettinahole project, adding that land acquisition is still pending near Byragondalu. The Yettinahole project, which generated a lot of controversy during the initial stages of its construction, is designed to draw water from the streams of Netravati river during monsoons and divert it to drought-hit districts in other parts of Karnataka.
Madhuswamy was speaking after partaking in the fallow land agricultural activities organized at Kakkunje in the district.
He further said, “Land acquisition at Byragondalu has still not been done to construct a reservoir there. We need 5,500 acres of land between Tumakuru and Chikkaballapur districts. For Tumakuru district the value of land comes to around Rs 8 lac. In Doddaballapur the value of land is around Rs 32 lac. That is why people of Koratagere are not ready to let go of their land for the project. They are not allowing us to do survey work of land either.
"In Tumakuru the price of land is Rs two lac per acre. According to law they will get Rs 8 lac per acre. Due to this confusion we are unable to convince the farmers there. At present work related to the project is going on in three districts. We will provide water in two years. I am from that constitutency itself. One year is required for aquaducts. Land acquiring cannot be done at once," he said.
"There is no chance of taking up any project in the coastal belt after the Varahi project. We will take water from here. Vented dams are being built under the comprehensive project of Paschimavahini. Project is made in this way to use the water that is getting wasted in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Chikkamagalur. This will help irrigation also.”
Madhuswamy said that it is not right on his part to give any opinion on Mekedatu project.
Responding to the statement by KPCC president D K Shivakumar inviting all those who want to join Congress, Madhuswamy said, “All political parties have the opportunity to expand their party. Accordingly D K Shivakumar might have given the said statement. Anyone can join BJP also. Even if they come to our party we will welcome them," he said.
"It is not right to criticise Prime Minister Modi with respect to Covid vaccination. The decision of the union government to give free vaccine for 80 crore people is priceless. In Karnataka Rs 2,000 crore is reserved for vaccination. Food kits are provided till November. It is the right of the opposition party to criticise the ruling government. All have to unitedly face this pandemic. Vaccine cannot be produced overnight.”
Responding to the sleaze CD case involving Ramesh Jarkiholi, the minister said, “BJP has not given any trouble to Ramesh Jarkiholi. He is the victim of an unfortunate incident. We are sympathetic towards him. He has resigned on moral grounds. Supreme court has given the verdict that consensual sex is not a crime. It seems from the video that the concerned girl has involved in the act by will. So I feel Ramesh will not be punished by the court."