45 yrs on, Kalasa-Banduri remains distant dream for farmers

Time of India

2 days ago

Dharwad: It has been 45 years since the farmers in Nargund and Navalgund taluks launched a fierce agitation for fulfilment of their demands but the issues for which they were agitating remain unsolved.
It was on July 21, 1980 that four people, two farmers and two policemen, died in the agitation that turned violent and led to police firing at Nargund and Navalgund which were then in Dharwad district.
Every year, July 21 is observed as Farmer Martyrs' Day, and farmers' leaders and leaders of political parties have made it customary to garland the Martyr Memorials and pay tributes to the farmers who have lost their lives.
The occasion has also provided an opportunity to the opposition parties to attack the ruling party for "neglecting the farmers" while for the ruling party it has been an occasion to reiterate its commitment to the cause of farmers.
In 1980, the farmers had revolted against the government protesting forcible collection of betterment levy at a time when they were reeling under severe drought. Their argument was that the benefits of the Malaprabha irrigation project had not reached majority of the farmers due to faulty planning and collection of levies from the non-beneficiaries was unjustified.
The agitation had also paved the way for the first non-Congress government in Karnataka with Ramakrishna Hegde-led Janata Party taking over the reins.
Karnataka decided to implement a project to divert its share of Mahadayi River water to Malaprabha River through Kalasa-Banduri Nala project to overcome the water woes and it has faced several legal hurdles with riparian states Goa and Maharashtra raising objections.
What is the project
The Kalasa Banduri Nala project envisages diverting water from Kalasa, Banduri, Halatar, Chorla, Potla, Korla and Gurki streams to Malaprabha and provide irrigation and supply of drinking water to Savadatti, Ramadurg taluks on Belgaum district, Navalgund in Dharwad district, Ron and Naragund in Gadag district and Badami in Bagalkot district. The water from Kalasa Banduri nalas flows into River Mahadayi which takes birth near Kanakumbi village in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district in Karnataka.
After flowing for 29km in Karnataka, it enters Goa where it is called Mandovi. After flowing across 54km in Goa territory, the river joins Arabian Sea.
Solution soon
Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal has given its verdict on sharing of Mahadayi water but it has been challenged by both Goa and Karnataka. Union minister Pralhad Joshi told TOI that the Goa Wildlife Board has issued an order not to take up any work on diverting Mahadayi water to Malaprabha and Karnataka has challenged this in Supreme Court. Legal experts have advised Karnataka to withdraw the petition filed in SC and challenge Goa Wildlife Board's order in High Court and get it quashed.
"We will get the things cleared soon and ensure that the work on Kalasa-Banduri Project resumes," Joshi said.