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Hans India
15 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
Union Minister Somanna urges K'taka CM to drop police cases against Hemavati canal project protestors
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways, V. Somanna, on Wednesday wrote a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to withdraw the cases filed against protestors, elected representatives, and seers who agitated against the Hemavati Express Link Canal Project. Somanna further demanded a special meeting with elected representatives of the Tumakuru region and stated that he would also attend the meet. Somanna highlighted that if the Hemavati Express Link Canal Project is implemented, farmers in the Tumakuru region will lose their share of water, and therefore, the project should be halted. "I made a submission to this government regarding the project earlier; despite that, the government did not halt it. This is unfortunate," he noted. Somanna claimed that the Hemavati Express Link Canal Project has stirred unrest among the people of Tumakuru, and instead of addressing their concerns, the Karnataka government is attempting to suppress the agitation and instil fear among farmers, farmer leaders, and seers. Somanna stated that Bengaluru Rural BJP MP, C.N. Manjunath, had also discussed the matter with him and expressed his concern over the issue. Somanna demanded that CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM and Water Resources Minister Shivakumar must convene a meeting of local representatives to discuss the pros and cons of the project. He also suggested that experts from both sides, those who support and oppose the project, should be invited to the meeting. Despite resistance of locals, the government has stated that it will go ahead with the project and filed 13 FIRs against more than 100 people, including BJP MLA from Tumakuru Rural Suresh Gowda, BJP MLA from Tumakuru city Jyothi Ganesh, Turuvekere JD(S) MLA M.T. Krishnappa and seers who took part in the protest. The work of the project has been temporarily stopped, as the protest on last Saturday turned violent and threatened to disturb the law and order situation in the region. The BJP is demanding an all-party meeting and has given a deadline of one month to the Karnataka government to halt the project. Home Minister Parameshwara hails from the Tumakuru district and the situation remains tense in the region.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
No water diversion to Bengaluru South district, says MLA Ranganath after protest over link canal
A link canal project that aims to supply water from the Hemavathi dam to Kunigal in Karnataka's Tumakuru district, around 70 km from Bengaluru, is at the centre of a controversy following a massive protest attended by leaders of the Opposition BJP and JD(S) on Saturday. Both parties have alleged that the project would divert water from the Tumakuru to Bengaluru South district –formerly Ramanagara district — Congress leaders have maintained that the canal would benefit only Kunigal taluk. On Sunday, Kunigal MLA Dr HD Ranganath of the Congress released a statement accusing the Opposition ranks of misleading people by claiming that the water will be diverted to Magadi and Ramanagar, which are part of Bengaluru South district, using the canal. 'The link canal project is restricted to Kunigal alone,' he said, adding that the canal was designed to supply 388 cusecs of water for the benefit of farmers in Kunigal. Tumakuru district gets 49 per cent water share of Hemavathi. But Kunigal taluk, where the fight for Hemavathi water started, is yet to get the 3.01 TMC water,' he said, adding that the link canal, where work started in 2018, would benefit the people of Kunigal taluk. The MLA, who is a relative of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, accused some 'vested interests' of misleading the people and urged Tumakuru residents not to oppose the link canal project. The protest held at the project site at Nitturu in Gubbi taluk, Tumakuru district, was attended by BJP MLAs Suresh Gowda and Jyothi Ganesh, and JD(S) MLA MT Krishnappa, along with representatives of farmer organisations and seers. The Bengaluru-Honnavar highway was blocked by protesters who demanded the government immediately scrap the project. The demonstration had taken place despite the district administration clamping prohibitory orders at the project site. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah later held a meeting with Home Minister G Parameshwara – who is district in-charge minister for Tumakuru, over the incident and asked him to resolve the issue. Parameshwara told reporters on Saturday that the works were started based on a report submitted by a technical committee formed to look into the project. 'The works were started at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore. When it began, the BJP started opposing it, after which the DyCM held multiple meetings with MPs and MLAs of the region. They had demanded that a technical committee be formed. The project began once the technical committee cleared it,' he said, adding that the protests by BJP were politically motivated. Shivakumar, who also holds the water resources portfolio, doubled down saying that the government would go ahead with the project. 'Express canal link works are 40 per cent complete. The question of stopping the project does not arise,' he said. The Hemavathi reservoir in Hassan district provides irrigation to Hassan and Tumakuru districts.
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.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Newly formed taluks will get Praja Soudhas as government-sanctioned administrative approvals
With Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah handing over the administrative approval letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Yadgir, the long-pending demand of the people of newly formed taluks to have a taluk administrative building is likely to be fulfilled in a year. Mr. Siddaramaiah handed over the letter to B. Susheela, Deputy Commissioner, after new taluks got administrative approval during the recent meeting held at Bengaluru. Yadgir district had three taluks — Yadgir, Shahapur and Shorapur (Surpur) then. But these taluks were divided when Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter announced it in 2013, as Gurmitkal divided from Yadgir, Wadagera from Shahapur and Hunsagi from Shorapur, respectively. Despite the announcement, new taluks weren't provided the taluk administrative buildings even after many years. Therefore, it was forced to function with the locally available government buildings. But, lack of sufficient space for administration, the officers and general public as well faced difficulties, more particularly in summer. Considering the necessity, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had promised to construct new taluk administrative buildings and named them 'Praja Soudha' and approved the proposal during the cabinet meeting held at Kalaburagi in September last year. After necessary formalities, taluks have finally got the administrative approval for the construction of Praja Soudhas in each taluk at a cost of ₹ 8.60 crore in two phases. Both Wadagera and Hunsagi taluks were represented by Congress MLAs Channareddy Patil Tunnur and Raja Venugopal Naik, while Gurmitkal was represented by JD(S) MLA Sharanagouda Kandkur. It is learnt that all MLAs have put their hands together for Praja Soudhas get administrative approval. 'The Chief Minister has shown special concern to build administrative buildings in the newly formed taluks, as they were much needed for the smooth functioning of daily activities and public convenience. The new Praja Soudha buildings will have all basic facilities and other requirements as people wanted,' Mr. Tunnur reacted. 'The Yadgir district has remained backward with a lack of civic facilities and government buildings. The government should establish other required buildings, including courts, for taluks for overall development,' Sharanu Gadduge, a pro-Kannada activist, has urged.
News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
BJP Ally JDS Demands Ban On Kamal Haasan's Thug Life In Karnataka Amid Kannada Remark Row
Last Updated: JD(S) demanded a ban on Kamal Haasan's "Thug Life" in Karnataka, accusing him of hurting Kannadigas' pride by linking Kannada's origins to Tamil. Amid the Kannada remark row, the Janata Dal (Secular) on Thursday demanded that the Karnataka government should impose a ban on the film 'Thug Life", by actor Kamal Hasan, saying that the actor has 'hurt the self-esteem of Kannadigas". This comes after Kamal Hasan landed in a controversy while attending the Thug Life audio launch event in Chennai, where he made a statement linking the origins of the Kannada language to Tamil. In a post on X, the JD(S) said that, 'The film by this language offender, who made childish and arrogant statements about the origin of the Kannada language, is set to release in the state on June 5. No permission should be granted for the screening of this film under any circumstances, and Kamal Haasan must be taught a lesson." The party emphasised that the state government must send a warning to those who speak against Kannada land and language, affirming that we stand for the Kannada language. While urging the government to 'teach a lesson" to the South actor, the JD(S) said, 'Kannadigas are tolerant. However, they will not tolerate any harm to their self-respect regarding Kannada land, language, culture, or heritage. The government will punish those who speak lightly against Kannada." Kamal Hasan had said, 'Actor Shivarajkumar is my family living in another state. That's why he is here. That's why when I started my speech, I said 'my life and my family are Tamil'. Your language (Kannada) was born out of Tamil. So you are included in that line." Haasan is currently gearing up for the release of Thug Life. The film follows the tale of Rangaraaya Sakthivel, a merciless gang leader portrayed by Kamal Haasan, and his brother Manickam. After a fierce confrontation, Sakthivel saves a young boy named Amaran and raises him like his own son. However, when an assassination attempt is made on Sakthivel, suspicion falls on Amaran, setting off a gripping story of revenge and shifting loyalties. First Published: May 29, 2025, 13:06 IST
