
Government committed to increasing the height of Almatti dam to 524 meters: DCM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: "The state government is committed to increasing the height of Almatti dam to 524 meters and utilizing our share of water," said DCM DK Shivakumar.
DCM Shivakumar, who is also the Minister of Water Resources, responded to the media at the Vidhana Soudha on Monday.
"The central government has to issue a gazette notification as per the Krishna Water Tribunal verdict in 2010. In this regard, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has called a meeting of representatives of four state governments on May 7. The ministers concerned have been called to meet and their opinions have been collected. We have discussed this issue with legal experts, and they will give their opinion in 2 days. Based on these, we will present our demand in the meeting of the Central Secretariat," he said.
"The government has already started the land acquisition process for the implementation of this project, and the necessary funds will be allocated for this," he said.
When asked if Andhra and Telangana will benefit from 13 TMC of water, he said, "Whether they benefit or lose. We should raise the dam to 524 meters. We will make whatever efforts are needed for that."
We will get the land required for tunnel road, metro
When asked about the meeting held regarding the land near Hebbal for the tunnel road and metro work, he said, "Hebbal junction is a very important place. Metro and tunnel road are needed here. Hence, we will take the required land. We cannot withdraw the project for any reason. We have asked the Metro and tunnel road officials to prepare its design. We have discussed how much military land and private land is required for this. We are committed to providing compensation through TDR or FAR. We are not ready to give up this land. Tenders have to be called for the construction of the tunnel, and we have held a meeting regarding the land required for this."
We have given them a free opportunity to inform their community
When asked about the start of the survey on internal reservation, he said, "The cabinet has decided to conduct a survey on internal reservation. A committee has been formed for this and all preparations have been made. People have been given a free opportunity to clearly inform their castes so that there is no confusion."
When asked about the confusion about internal reservation, he said, "There is no confusion. The Supreme Court has given its verdict on this issue. Our party has promised in its manifesto. Some of these communities have not given proper information, our number has increased, and those in urban areas have not disclosed their community. Therefore, they are being given a free opportunity."
Religious practices should not be hindered:
When asked about the removal of Janavara during the NEET exam in Kalaburagi, he said, "The government and officials should not hinder religious practices and ideas. This action of the central government is not right."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
BJP opposed earlier caste census report citing data inconsistency, why is it opposing a re-survey now: K'taka Dy CM
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday questioned the BJP's intention in questioning the state government's decision to re-conduct the caste census. 'The BJP was opposed to the earlier caste census, citing data sanctity issues. We have announced a redo of the census, but the BJP is still opposing this too,' he said, while speaking to reporters here. Asked about BJP criticising the decision to reconduct the caste census, he said, 'The BJP did not accept the earlier caste census report, why the opposition now when we are trying to address the concerns? We are not rejecting the earlier census, we are only trying to correct the shortcomings of the earlier survey in order to allay concerns of several communities.' Asked if the survey would be conducted in a scientific manner this time, he said, 'The modalities would be discussed in the Cabinet meeting. Several communities, including Lambanis, Jains, Bestha communities had met me and raised concerns on the earlier survey. The previous survey was also done scientifically through door-to-door visits, but some of the people were hesitant to share their caste details. Our national leaders have given us certain guidelines. The AICC President too has given us many suggestions. The CM will discuss this in the Cabinet meeting and make a decision.' To a question of whether the government gave in to the pressure from powerful communities, he said, 'We have yielded to the pressures from all communities. We have yielded to the pressure from the media too.' When pointed out that the Veerashaiva community has welcomed the government's decision to redo the caste census, he said, 'Seers from Veerashaiva and Vokkaliga communities called me up and welcomed the decision. I appeal to all the seers to nudge their community members to participate in the survey and provide correct details.' Asked if it was D K Shivakumar's victory in convincing the High Command for a resurvey, he said there was no winner or loser in this matter. When questioned if there was a need for the state to reconduct the caste census when the Centre has announced a caste census along with the general census, he said, 'This is our Party's agenda, the BJP has copied it. Rahul Gandhi has always been advocating proportionate representation for the backwards classes.' Replying to a question on ED raids on Congress MLAs and MPs in the alleged Valmiki Corporation corruption case, he said, 'There is no link between our MLAs and Valmiki Corporation scam. Our leaders have not used the money in any election. As much as 90% of the money misused by the officials has been recovered.' (ANI)


New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Shoulder responsibility and ensure justice to the Bengaluru stampede victims
Multiple investigations have been launched into the tragedy. The Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance and ordered the government to file a status report, the government ordered a magisterial inquiry and set up a one-man commission headed by a retired HC judge, and a probe by the police's criminal investigation department. It is hoped the inquiries bring to light the omissions and commissions, and who took the crucial decision to hold a victory parade and celebrate in the confines of the stadium. A number of issues require scrutiny: RCB's X post on free passes to the stadium, and whether top police officials' objections were brushed aside by politicians. There were many factors at play: the public rushing to collect the passes, restrictions at the stadium gates, a tired and depleted police force, and lakhs of people pouring in to celebrate the elusive IPL trophy. The Congress high command summoned Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and sought an explanation. The opposition has been baying for the resignations of the two leaders and Home Minister G Parameshwara for turning the felicitation into a family and supporters' show, and absolving themselves of accountability. The image of the Congress government has come under severe drubbing and the leaders' stock has hit an all-time low. They should realise that it is in their interest to take responsibility and do justice to the grieving families. They may fall from grace now, but that's part of the leadership role.


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Caste survey decision by Cong brass, not Karnataka government, says CM Siddaramaiah
BENGALURU: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah sought to clarify Wednesday that it was the Congress brass's decision and not his govt's to undertake a fresh caste survey, suggesting unease at the prospect of his core vote bank of minorities, backward classes and Dalits not taking kindly to re-enumeration after leaked data from the 2015 exercise showed a massive jump in their numbers. Siddaramaiah, under the pump for the June 4 stampede in Bengaluru in which 11 cricket fans died, told reporters at Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur district that there were "some complaints" about the Kantharaj Commission's caste survey data. Won't reject 2015 census report: Siddaramaiah There were claims that the data was outdated, so some suggested a fresh enumeration within a relatively shorter timeline. We won't reject the (2015) report. We have already accepted it in principle," Siddaramaiah said. On whether he was disappointed with Congress's decision to go for fresh survey, he said, "We will act per the high command's directive. It's not our decision."Siddaramaiah and his deputy minister D K Shivakumar had been summoned to Delhi Tuesday for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, purportedly to explain state govt's failure to stem the outrage over the stampede sparked by an allegedly mismanaged victory parade for IPL-winning cricket franchise RCB. While Siddaramaiah appeared wary of owning the decision to enumerate caste demography afresh, Shivakumar batted on the front foot. He questioned why BJP was criticising the decision to conduct a new survey after refusing to accept data from previous one. "Why such opposition when we are trying to address concerns? We are not rejecting the Kantharaj Commission's report. We are only trying to correct the shortcomings of the earlier survey," DKS said.