Karnataka govt. can give ‘water guarantee’ if Centre gives requisite permissions: DKS

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Saturday that the Congress government may provide “water guarantee” as the “seventh guarantee” if the Union government grants necessary permissions for major irrigation projects of Karnataka (Upper Krishna, Mekedatu, Mahadayi and Yettinahole).

Addressing a rally in Haveri to distribute title deeds, described as the “sixth guarantee”, to beneficiaries, coinciding with the Congress government completing 1,000 days in office, Mr. Shivakumar said the government has decided to give compensation of ₹35 lakh to ₹40 lakh to farmers who left their lands for the Upper Krishna Project.

“After influential discussions in the Supreme Court, we have received a positive order for the Cauvery balancing reservoir in Mekedatu. We are preparing the DPR for the project. In Mahadayi, the Forest Department has not given the necessary permissions,” he said. Talking about the Yettinahold project, he said that if permission is given within three months, the State government can complete the work of providing drinking water to Chickballapur and Kolar.

A number of Ministers and more than 20 legislators, including Krishna Byre Gowda, Shivanand Patil, HK Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, KH Muniyappa, G. Parameshwara, attended the congress in Haveri.