Vijayapura: Accusing the ruling BJP Government of neglecting the irrigation projects of State, mainly the projects of Krishna Basin, Former Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, M. B. Patil has announced that the Congress has decided to outlay Rs. 2 Lakh Crore in five years for all irrigation projects in the State if it comes to power after the Assembly polls.
Addressing mediapersons for explaining details about the Party’s mega convention on Krishna Basin’s irrigation projects being held at the City on Thursday December 29, he said that the party passed resolution in this regard in the recently held party’s ‘Chintana Shivir’ at Bengaluru.
All these issues would be raised during the convention to be attended by All India Congress Committee General Secretary, Randeep Surjewala, KPCC President D. K. Shivakumar, Leader of the Opposition, Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition in the Council, B. K. Hariprasad and other prominent leaders of the party. The event would be held at Darbar High School Ground at 3:00 pm, he said.
Continuing on projects of Krishna Basin, he said that when B. S. Yedyurappa became Chief Minister before Basavaraj Bommai, he had announced that the Government would allocate Rs. 1.5 Lakh Crore for the irrigation projects.
“But today, we found that the Government has allocated only around Rs. 60,000 Crore, of which the Government has spent only around Rs. 40,000 Crore. So where is the remaining Rs. 1 Lakh Crore the party had promised,” he asked.
Referring to the inter-state water dispute over Krishna River, Patil alleged that despite the BJP Government being in power in the State and at the Centre, the party has failed to get Gazette Notification issued which allows Karnataka to increase the Alamatti dam height to 524 metres
“ The BJP is claiming that since it has a double engine government as it is ruling in State and at the Centre, the developments are taking place faster. But in reality, the double engine government has done no good for the people of the State, mainly related to irrigation projects,” he said. Patil said that if the BJP wishes, it can get the notification issued anytime.
On the Bommai Government giving approval for the Revanasiddeshwara Lift Irrigation Projects of Vijayapura District, he said that the decision is only an election gimmick.
“Now as the Assembly elections are scheduled only about four months, the BJP Government has issued approval to the project. It is merely an eye wash. The BJP thinks that the people of the District are fools as they don’t realise that the decision has been taken only at the fag end of the Government,” he said.
Taking exception to the Government decision on revising the land value of villages coming under Krishna Basin which would be getting submerged after increase of the height of Alamatti Dam, Patil said that the decision is unjust and discriminatory.
The Government has said that it will give compensation on market value and not on guidance value and that too to only over 20 villages. Since the decision is irrational and unjust, the Congress not only opposes it but the party will try to rectify mistakes of the BJP Government in this regard if voted to power,” he noted.
