Latest news with #HemavathiRiverLinkCanalProject
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Whole Tumakuru district participated in the agitation": BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda on protest against Hemavati Link Canal project
Tumakuru (Karnataka) [India], June 1 (ANI): BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda on Sunday said the people of Tumakuru district strongly protested against the Hemavati Linking Canal project. Thousands of farmers in Karnataka held a large protest on Saturday near Gubbi town in Tumakuru district, opposing the start of work on the Hemavathi River Link Canal Project. He said that the message was sent to the government to stop the project immediately. Gowda said that the district officials said that a temporary halt will be put. Gowda warned that the project could harm Tumakuru's development and water supply. Speaking to ANI, B Suresh Gowda said, 'We have given a call that the Hemavati Linking Canal project must be stopped, and whole Tumakuru district participated in the agitation... It went well. We sent a message to the government to stop immediately. District Commissioner and SP intervened and said that a temporary halt will be put... We explained to them what issues this project will cause... G Parmeshwara wants to make Greater Tumakuru... In this process, Tumakuru will not develop, since it also has an increased need for drinking water like Bengaluru. Therefore I request the stoppage of this project... We are willing to sacrifice our lives for the struggle...' Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Saturday that the protest against the Hemavati Link Canal project is a political protest. He said 40 per cent of the work is already done, and the project will not be stopped as it will help farmers. He also accused BJP leaders of trying to create problems. Speaking to the mediapersons about the protest against the project, DK Shivakumar said, 'That is all a political protest. Nothing is there within the water. We have sorted it out. I have discussed with them. We have a technical report. Everything is over. Already, 40 per cent of the work is over. There is no question of stopping any work. We will continue with it. It will help every farmer in the area... BJP leaders always do that. They are known for creating problems.' (ANI)
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Political slugfest breaks out between Opposition and Congress over Hemavathi river link canal project
The Karnataka government's decision to continue work on the Hemavathi River Link Canal Project in Tumakuru district has triggered a political slugfest with the Opposition accusing the Congress of diverting water to taluks of Bengaluru South district (earlier Ramanagara). A day after a massive protest by BJP MLAs, farmers, and seers against the commencement of work on the project near Gubbi town in Tumakuru district, H.D. Ranganath, Kunigal MLA (Congress), issued a statement that the link canal was being developed for providing water to farmers and residents of Kunigal taluk and not Magadi or Ramanagara taluks. Mr. Ranganath, who is also a relative of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said that Kunigal taluk had been denied justice for the last 25 years. Now the work had commenced under the leadership of Mr. Shivakumar at an estimated cost of ₹615 crore in the first phase to ensure 3.01 tmcft of water to Kunigal. The total water allocated to the district was 24 tmcft, he said. Mr. Ranganath recalled the struggle led by former Ministers Y.K. Ramaiah and N. Huchamasty Gowda to bring water from Hemavathi river to Tumakuru district and said that some leaders from Hassan denied water to Kunigal. 'The BJP and the JD(S) leaders have been misleading the public. I am ready to continue to fight and sacrifice my life for the completion of the link canal to bring water to Kunigal taluk,' Mr. Ranganath declared. BJP terms canal 'unscientific' B. Suresh Gowda, Tumakuru Rural MLA, G.B. Jyothi Ganesh, Tumakuru City MLA, and N. Ravikumar, MLC, (all BJP) have termed the link canal 'unscientific'. Mr. Gowda on Sunday said he too would be ready to sacrifice his life to stop the diversion of water to Ramanagara. He argued that the Congress-led government was attempting to divert Tumakuru district's share of water to the Ramanagara region. 'The Cauvery is a perennial river, whereas we receive water from the Hemavathi only for three to four months. I am not opposing giving water to Kunigal,' Mr. Gowda said. Mr. Ravikumar asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mr. Shivakaumar and district in-charge Minister G. Parameshwara to hold talks with elected representatives of the district to resolve the matter. Following the protest on Saturday, the district administration temporarily halted the work. Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna wrote to Mr. Siddaramaiah opposing the project. The BJP leaders claimed that Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Water Resources Minister, is spearheading the project. Meanwhile, H.C. Balakrishna, Magadi MLA (Congress), said that the people of Magadi have been patiently and rightfully claiming their share of water. Tumakuru district has been receiving water from other river sources. 'Will he (Mr. Gowda) not come to Bengaluru? We know what to do when they (Mr. Gowda and MLA for Turuvekere M.T. Krishnappa) come to Bengaluru,' Mr. Balakrishna warned. Congress MLA opposed it However, S.R. Srinivas, Gubbi MLA, of the Congress, said he too opposed the link canal project. 'I too oppose the project and tried to meet Mr. Shivakumar on Saturday but could not meet him. I respect the people's sentiments,' the MLA said.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Express Link Canal work won't be stopped: DK Shivakumar amid protests
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] June 1 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday clarified that the Express Link Canal project would continue despite ongoing protests. He said that 40 per cent of the work had already been completed, and there was no reason to halt the project at this stage. 'Forty per cent of the work of the Express Link Canal project has been completed. In this situation, there is no reason to stop the work,' Shivakumar told reporters at Vidhana Soudha while addressing concerns over the Hemavati Link Canal project. The remarks came amid growing protests from farmers and political leaders opposing the Hemavati Link Canal. While responding to the agitation, Shivakumar stated, 'Those who are there, those who are here, are all our farmers. We will protect the interests of everyone.' The protests gained traction after BJP MLA Suresh Gowda voiced opposition. However, Shivakumar pointed out that key MLAs were already aware of the project. 'MLAs Krishnappa and Suresh Gowda have said that they are aware of this project. They have also spoken about it. However, they are now fighting. I am not saying that this is wrong. All the MLAs are mentally aware of this issue,' he said. When asked about Union Minister V Somanna's letter concerning the project, Shivakumar responded with caution and respect. 'He is a big man, a Union Minister. Let's ask for his guidance as well,' he said, indicating that the government was open to suggestions and cooperation from the Centre. On Saturday, DK Shivakumar alleged that the protest against the Hemavati Link Canal project is a political protest. He said 40 per cent of the work is already done, and the project will not be stopped as it will help farmers, and also accused BJP leaders of trying to create problems. Thousands of farmers in Karnataka held a large protest on Saturday near Gubbi town in Tumakuru district, opposing the start of work on the Hemavathi River Link Canal Project. Speaking to the mediapersons about the protest against the project, DK Shivakumar said, 'That is all a political protest. Nothing is there within the water. We have sorted it out. I have discussed with them. We have a technical report. Everything is over. Already, 40 per cent of the work is over. There is no question of stopping any work. We will continue with it. It will help every farmer in the area... BJP leaders always do that. They are known for creating problems.' He further added that the Karnataka government will not tolerate hate speech or misinformation. 'Karnataka government does not tolerate hate speeches or misinformation. The law will take its course. We have instructed all the DCs to identify in every district and take all the information and file cases immediately. We want to keep the districts in coastal Karnataka very peaceful and business-oriented. We are working out a strategy for the unemployment problem that has been created there. A team from our party will also assess the situation,' Shivakumar said. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"A political protest': Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar on protest against Hemavati Link Canal project
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] May 31 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Saturday that the protest against the Hemavati Link Canal project is a political protest. He said 40 per cent of the work is already done, and the project will not be stopped as it will help farmers. He also accused BJP leaders of trying to create problems. Thousands of farmers in Karnataka held a large protest on Saturday near Gubbi town in Tumakuru district, opposing the start of work on the Hemavathi River Link Canal Project. Speaking to the mediapersons about the protest against the project, DK Shivakumar said, 'That is all a political protest. Nothing is there within the water. We have sorted it out. I have discussed with them. We have a technical report. Everything is over. Already, 40 per cent of the work is over. There is no question of stopping any work. We will continue with it. It will help every farmer in the area... BJP leaders always do that. They are known for creating problems.' He further added that the Karnataka government will not tolerate hate speech or misinformation. 'Karnataka government does not tolerate hate speeches or misinformation. The law will take its course. We have instructed all the DCs to identify in every district and take all the information and file cases immediately. We want to keep the districts in coastal Karnataka very peaceful and business-oriented. We are working out a strategy for the unemployment problem that has been created there. A team from our party will also assess the situation,' Shivakumar said. Earlier on Friday, as heavy rains lashed parts of Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has assured citizens that the government is fully prepared to address any emergencies. Speaking to the media on Friday, Shivakumar outlined the proactive measures being taken by the state to manage the situation and told the media that all deputy commissioners have been asked to take the required action, and state ministers will be at their headquarters to look over the situation. 'We have called all the deputy commissioners and asked them to take action. For emergency cases, we have authorised all the deputy commissioners and the officers to be alert. After the meeting, all the Ministers must be in their headquarters and help the people because we can't avoid nature...,' he said. (ANI)
