DCM appeals Centre for Rs 11,000 crore funds for six irrigation projects in the state

Bengaluru Express
New Delhi, July 10: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the irrigation portfolio, said on Wednesday that he has appealed for funds to the tune of Rs 11,122.76 crore for six irrigation projects in the state.

Addressing a press conference at Karnataka Bhavan, he said, “We have appealed to the Centre for Rs 11,122.76 funds for six irrigation projects in the state – Rs 804.66 crore for Sonnathi lift irrigation project; Rs 2,660.70 crore for Indi branch canal in Upper Krishna project; Rs 3000 crore for third stage of Malaprabha canal; Rs 1,44.42 crore for Ghataprabha right bund canal and Chikkodi branch canal; Rs 1610 crore for flood prevention project at Benne Halla. We have learnt that one project has been approved, but we are yet to receive official confirmation.”

“We have also appealed for 25% of funds for Yettinahole project as it is a drinking water project. There were some complications for the project due to Forest department not issuing clearance. The Union Minister for Environment has assured that the issue would be resolved soon.”

No guarantee until the funds hit the account
Replying to a question on Upper Bhadra project, he said, “We have asked for funds for this project too. We have submitted the revised cost estimates as asked by the Centre, and they have said the funds would be released. There is no guarantee until the funds hit state government’s account.”

When pointed to repeated promises but no action by the Centre on release of funds for Upper Bhadra project, he said, “You have to ask the Centre if they don’t have funds or they are doing politics over this. They had asked about the expenditure on the project till now and we have submitted all the relevant documents.”

Asked why the Rs 5,300 funds for Upper Bhadra is getting delayed in spite of Centre announcing it, he said, “What to do? The Congress government came to power in the state.”

Give and take with Goa
“Goa has said that we have raised objection for its request to lay a power transmission line through Karnataka. We have told them that we would support them if they support us on Kalasa-Bhanduri project. The Union Environment Minister has told us that he would convey his opinion on this in a week. I have informed him that I would meet him before the Monsoon session of the Parliament,” he said.

“The Centre had given a go ahead for Kalasa-Bhanduri project when Karnataka had a BJP government. Based on that approval, our government had called for tenders. But Goa government issued us a show cause notice in 2023 and the case is in the court now. We have brought this issue to the attention of the Union Environment Minister. Goa does not have any locus standi to object to work in our state. We have already moved court regarding this,” he explained.

Mekedatu project
“We have appealed to the Union Jal Shakthi minister to give us approval for the DPR of Mekedatu project. The DPR is in line with the order given by the Cauvery Water Management Authority. We have told the Union minister to submit its report to the court so that the court can pass a judgement. We have also conveyed to the minister that the project benefits Tamil Nadu. He has assured us that he would speak to Tamil Nadu about this,”

Krishna water sharing meeting
“A meeting on sharing of Krishna water was cancelled last time and the Union Jal Shakthi minister has assured us that a meeting would be scheduled in July itself. Though the Tribunal’s order has allowed us to increase the height of Alamatti dam, we are not allowed to do it as the Centre is yet to issue a Gazette notification on the same. I have appealed to the Union minister to call for a meeting among Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He has assured that the meeting would be held before the Parliament session,” he said.

Union Minister V Somanna accompanied DK Shivakumar during his meetings with Union Minister for Environment and Union Minister for Jal Shakthi.