State to put pressure on centre to increase Almatti height to 524 m, says DKS
The Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the State government was trying to put pressure on the Union government to increase the height of the Almatti dam on the Krishna river to 524 metres (m), in Kolhar in Vijayapura district.
'We are putting pressure on the Central government to issue a notification to increase the dam so that it can impound more water. We have also decided to continue the necessary land acquisition process in case the proposal is approved and the areas of submergence is identified, the Major and Medium Irrigation Minister said after laying the foundation stone for several development projects.
'We have taken a decision to raise the height of dam. I have discussed this issue with the MLAs and decided to continue the land acquisition process. Recently Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I met the concerned Union Ministers with a request to issue the notification. The Union Minister had convened a meeting also, but it was postponed due to some reasons,' he said.
He said that due to the focussed development of irrigation in northern Karnataka, various districts in the region were turning to sugarcane growing districts. 'After Mandya, the districts of this region have become sugarcane bowls. We are committed to making the lives of the farmers of this region better. New factories are starting in this region and jobs are being created,'' he said.
'The opposition parties are criticising that there has been no development. That is false. We have implemented many programs for the development of the region. We have released ₹5,000 crore every year for the development of Kalyan Karnataka and ₹2,025 crore for the development of Bidar district alone. We have released water to the second crops in this area this year,' he said.
He alleged that BJP governments in the past did not keep their promise. 'It did not provide even ₹5,300 crore that was announced in the Budget for the Bhadra Upper River Project. It did not support irrigation projects in northern Karnataka,'' he said.
'Some leaders of the Banjara community met me and expressed their concerns about the sub caste census and internal reservation. I want to tell them that I understand their concerns. I appeal to you no to believe in rumours. We have a strong government in the State. We will strive to ensure justice to all. There is no need to worry,' he said.
He said the Congress would come to power in the next term. He appreciated the work being done by Minister Shivanand Patil in his Ministry and his district.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Pentagon says estimated cost of national guard deployment to LA is $134 million: Report
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back against Democrats' criticism of the decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles, telling Congress that the Trump administration wants to protect immigration agents and keep demonstrations there from getting out of control. Asked by Representative Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat, how much the deployment would cost, Hegseth criticized Governor Tim Walz's handling of protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis 2020. President Donald Trump recognizes 'a situation like that, improperly handled by a governor like it was by Governor Walz, if it gets out of control — it's a bad situation for the citizens of any location,' Hegseth said. He said Immigration and Customs Enforcement 'has the right to safely conduct operations in any state and any jurisdiction in the country, especially after 21 million illegals have crossed our border under the previous administration.' Hegseth's comments during the hearing, which at times turned combative, echoed Trump's remarks Monday in which he said he 'watched Minneapolis burn.' Officials also gave more detail on the scope of the deployment and the role the Marines will play. Hegesth said the deployment would last 60 days, as detailed in a presidential memorandum over the weekend. Speaking alongside the defense secretary, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Bryn MacDonnell said the deployment is estimated to cost $134 million, which covers travel, housing and food. The funds would come from the department's operations and maintenance accounts. And in a separate Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said the Marines deployed are trained in crowd control and 'being deployed to support law enforcement.' They are equipped with 'shields and batons' and 'they do not have arrest authority,' he said. The decision to send in the National Guard and the Marines has provoked an outcry from Democrats. Representative Pete Aguilar, a Democrat who's district includes a portion of Los Angeles, asked Hegseth 'Why are you sending war fighters to cities to interact with civilians?' 'Every American citizen deserves to live in a community that's safe, and ICE agents need to be able to do their job,' Hegseth responded. 'And if they're attacked, that's lawless, and President Trump believes in law and order. So he has every authority' to deploy troops under US law. The protests entered their fifth day on Tuesday after more clashes between police and demonstrators rallying against a rising number of raids by ICE agents, who local officials say have stoked fear in the immigrant-rich community. US law generally bars the use of the active-duty US military from carrying out domestic law enforcement. Trump over the weekend authorized Hegseth to deploy armed forces 'as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property.'
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Bengal Assembly Resolution on Pahalgam terror Attack: Mamata slams Centre, says ‘Total failure, colossal lapse in internal security'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the resignation of the BJP government at the Centre over the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 men, mostly tourists, were killed, calling it a 'total failure of the government' and a 'colossal lapse' in internal security. Speaking in the Assembly during the passing of a resolution commending the Indian armed forces for their precision strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor – though the resolution did not mention its name – the chief minister said India had a 'golden opportunity' to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during last month's military conflict but failed to act decisively as she questioned the foreign policy of the BJP government. 'We had an opportunity to take control of PoK. Instead, Pakistan has been allowed in a committee on terrorism created by the UN. Is there a flaw in our foreign policy?' she said. Demanding accountability from the Centre for what she called a 'colossal lapse' in internal security during the Pahalgam terror attack, the chief minister said: 'When terrorists attacked, there were no police there. Kashmir police is not controlled by the state government. Those who were attacked by the terrorists repeatedly asked for help. But no police personnel, Army men were there to help them… Why were no security forces or police personnel present at the spot? We don't know the attackers in Pahalgam till date. No one has been arrested…Why? How did such an attack happen in a high-security zone.. This is a total failure of government, a total failure of agencies.' Asserting that 'we don't support terrorism; it has no religion, caste, or creed', Banerjee said those responsible for the Pahalgam killings must be brought to justice without delay. She praised the Indian military action, stating, 'There was a need for teaching them a lesson. We salute the bravery of our armed forces.' Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshows following Operation Sindoor, the TMC chief said that he was only 'busy advertising himself'. 'You just roam around promoting sindoor. We respect sindoor. You don't respect women. Why didn't the Prime Minister visit Rajouri, Poonch sites (hit by Pakistan shelling)?' she asked. Accusing the BJP of trying to politicise the valour of the armed forces with an eye on elections, she also recalled how the BJP allegedly politicised the Pulwama terror attack in the past and warned against similar attempts to 'provoke unrest' ahead of the upcoming general elections. Pointing to the BJP legislators, who chanted 'Modi Modi', Banerjee said: 'Apnader bhoi laage… Election aele ekta Pulwama korte hobe, eta jeno na hoi ('We are afraid of you…when election comes, do another Pulwama, that should not happen)'. She was referring to Pulwama terror attack in which a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of the CRPF, killing nearly 40 personnel, on Februaray 14, 2019, months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The CM also questioned why the Prime Minister or Defence Minister Rajnath Singh did not visit any foreign country instead had sent parliamentary delegations composed of MPs from Opposition parties. 'You needed to send your own minister, your Defence Minister. You should have gone yourself. Instead of you going, you sent the opposition parties, they did that job. That's why I thank them for doing their job brilliantly,' she said. Seven parliamentary delegations were sent to major global capitals to reinforce India's diplomatic messaging following Operation Sindoor. Amidst the ruckus, Banerjee continued her attack on the Centre, raising questions, and the recent appointment of Pakistan as the vice chair of the UN's anti-terror committee. 'Pakistan has become the vice chair of the UN's anti-terror committee. How? Were we lacking in diplomatic relations?' she asked, while calling External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar 'a good person, a capable bureaucrat.' Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2025-26 term, will chair the Council's Taliban Sanctions Committee for 2025 and will be vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the 15-nation UN organ. She also expressed concern about India's diplomatic strategy with respect to Pakistan. 'I don't know if there is an issue with our diplomacy, as Pakistan is still getting loans from the IMF, instead of being cornered internationally,' the CM said. She added, 'I support the resolution because I think this strike was important to send a strong message. I pay my respects to those who lost their lives. Terrorism can never be forgiven.' Banerjee referred to reports of Pakistani spies being arrested from Gujarat, the home state of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 'How did information from Modi-Shah's state reach Pakistan?' she asked. Tempers flared in the House when BJP legislators interrupted her speech. Banerjee shot back, calling the BJP 'uncivilised' and 'liars'. 'You are fake Hindus. My voice will drown out your noise. You only promote yourselves and insult the people of this country,' she said, addressing the BJP benches amid loud sloganeering from both the opposition and treasury benches. With PTI Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Op Sindoor showed India now responds with strength if war imposed on it: Yogi
Lucknow: Chief Minister on Tuesday said that showcased India's military might and asserted that India now responds with strength rather than silence if someone imposes war on the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at a press conference to highlight the achievements of the Modi govt at the Centre in past 11 years, the CM said that these years would be remembered as a "golden period in the making of a self-reliant India". "India now responds with strength rather than silence and if someone imposes war on the country, the answer will be in the form of Operation Sindoor. If someone encourages terrorism, the answer will be surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor," Yogi said. "The whole world has seen the Indian military power, tested in Pakistan and trusted by the world," he added. "There was a tendency to chant the mantra of peace even in the face of aggression. But through the 'new normal' established under the current leadership, that approach has been completely reversed. Now, India responds with strength, not silence." He said that under Modi's leadership, India regained its honour on the global platform, which had "diminished during the 65 years of Congress and other unstable govts", he said. He said that PM Modi had given India a distinct global identity. "His governance is marked by service, good administration and welfare of the poor. Better service delivery on the ground has been assigned as primary duty and responsibility in the BJP ruled states," Yogi said. "Country has become free of corruption and nepotism while appeasement of community has been discouraged. Before 2014, country was facing various threats and vulnerabilities but after Modi took over, New India has leaped on the path of progress," he added. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India) is being realised. India's 140 crore citizens have witnessed the govt's firm commitment to national unity and integrity, as well as its decisive approach towards security and terrorism," he added. Highlighting economic progress, he said the country's economy made great strides under PM Modi. "Through constant monitoring and thoughtful spending outlay, our country has become fourth largest economy in the world. India is the only country which has managed to double its per capita income from Rs 79,000 in 2013-14 to Rs 2.5 lakh. Soon, the country will climb to the third spot," he said. "Before 2014, India was marked by instability. Economy was uncertain, and people lacked confidence about the country's future. From 1947 to 2014, India had only managed to become the world's 11th largest economy and even that was fragile," he said. "Focus has been on deploying technology tools. Our govt has redefined the way IT services and direct beneficiary transfers are taking place," Yogi said. Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, Yogi said that decision brought Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh fully into the constitutional fold. Pointing towards the way infrastructure has been augmented, Yogi said that pace of highway construction had tripled — from 11km per day during the UPA era to over 35km per day at present. "Successful coordination of faith and economy has created a new model of development, with spiritual heritage becoming a catalyst for economic growth," he said and cited the example of the Maha Kumbh, where five new economic corridors emerged, boosting employment and regional economies. "Under Lakhpati Didi Yojana, the goal is to make 3 crore women financially independent. Already, 10 crore women have joined over 90 lakh self-help groups. Presently, 14,500 schools are being upgraded under PM Shri school for foundational education. Since 2014, 8 new IITs, 7 IIMs, 490 new universities have been established and 8.6 lakh jobs were created through PSUs," Yogi said. "PM's vision of 'Healthy India, Capable India' has brought unprecedented reforms in the country's healthcare sector. While Congress govts built only one AIIMS, Atal Bihari Vajpayee added six, and Prime Minister Modi expanded the number to 23 — including two in Uttar Pradesh (Gorakhpur and Rae Bareli)," he said. "Till 2014, India had just 180 medical colleges but now there are 2,045 medical colleges nationwide, with 80 in Uttar Pradesh alone," Yogi said. He said that under Ayushman Bharat, over 50 crore people had been provided health cover and free treatment worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore. "Through e-Sanjeevani, over 37 crore teleconsultations have been provided, transforming healthcare accessibility across India," he said.
