Latest news with #Somanna
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.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Somanna slams Siddaramaiah for implicating farmers opposing Hemavathi link canal project
In a sharp political swipe, Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna on Sunday criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying he has become like 'a train that missed the village station.' 'The old Siddaramaiah is lost. He may take 10 steps forward, but then retreats 50 steps backward under pressure,' he said, while responding to media questions in Kalaburagi about the Hemavati Link Canal Project in Tumakuru. Accusing the State government of stagnation and political favouritism, the Central Minister condemned the Congress government for implicating farmers who are opposing the project. 'The State government is acting like stagnant water, trying to appease some while punishing others unjustly. Why are poor farmers being targeted with criminal cases? What wrong have they done? The State government should stop harassing people. Officials who once declared the project unfeasible are now saying it's possible, just to protect their positions,' he said urging the State government to work with Central irrigation experts to resolve issues on technical merit. Speaking on railway projects in Karnataka, Mr. Somanna said that works worth ₹7,654 crores have been announced in budget for 2025-26. 'During the UPA government, Karnataka got an insignificant amount for railway projects. Now, the amount has crossed ₹7,000 crore. Vande Bharat Express trains are already running across 13 districts in the State. There have been requests to run Vande Bharat trains between Mangaluru and Bengaluru and Belagavi and Bengaluru. These services will be launched shortly,' he said. Acknowledging concerns that rail services are becoming increasingly skewed toward upper class passengers due to the focus on air-conditioned coaches, Mr. Somanna said that Indian Railways will soon introduce 10,000 new general class coaches to better serve the needs of common passengers and address overcrowding in trains across the country. Mr. Somanna also noted that the Indian Railways is making significant savings of approximately ₹18,000 crore annually through electrification and promised that all new railway lines will be launched as electrified routes to ensure sustainability and cost-efficiency. 'As much as 44,000 km of railway lines have been doubled over the last 10 years. Electrification of several routes has led to significant savings, estimated at ₹17,000 crore to ₹18,000 crore, while also helping reduce air pollution. Out of the 300 Amrit Bharat railway stations being upgraded nationwide, 61 are located in Karnataka and are currently under development,' he said. Responding to comparisons with the UPA government, Mr. Somanna pointed out that during the 2009-10 fiscal year, ₹11,500 crore had been spent on doubling projects. In contrast, the present government has allocated ₹70,000 crore for such work in the 2025-26 fiscal year alone, he said arguing that this demonstrates a much stronger commitment to railway development than previous administrations.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Union Minister Somanna inspects redevelopment works at Bidar railway station
Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna on Saturday conducted an inspection of the ongoing redevelopment works at Bidar railway station, being undertaken under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The project, which is being implemented at an estimated cost of ₹24.35 crore, aims to transform the station with modern amenities and improved infrastructure. During his visit, the Minister reviewed the progress of several key works, including a 12-metre wide foot overbridge, lifts, escalators, booking counters, parking facilities, and enhancements in the surrounding areas of the station. Mr. Somanna directed the officials to expedite the works and emphasised that the station's redevelopment should not inconvenience passengers. He also assessed the availability of passenger amenities, safety arrangements, and the steps taken by Railway officials to ensure seamless and secure movement for travellers. Highlighting the structural significance of the upgrades, the Minister stressed the need for efficient crowd management and robust security measures, urging authorities to prioritise passenger convenience throughout the process. Earlier in the day, the Minister also conducted a window trailing inspection between Nagalapalli and Bidar within the Secunderabad Division.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka: MoS Somanna takes on Shivakumar over threat to Tumakuru water
A water war seems to be breaking out between the neighbouring districts of Tumakuru and Bengaluru South (Ramanagar)with Dy CM DK Shivakumar said to be eyeing a share of Hemavathy water for his district. This has rubbed the Minister of State for Railways & Jal Shakti V Somanna on the wrong side, who has sought Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's intervention to quash his deputy's plans to divert water from Tumakuru to Bengaluru South, warning of severe protests if his demand is ignored. Somanna represents Tumakuru in Lok Sabha while Shivakumar represents Kanakapura in Bengaluru South district in the state assembly. Somanna, also a veteran BJP leader, said the Dy CM was pursuing an unscientific Hemavathy Express Link Canal Feeder project mooted by some officials without applying his mind. The project, if implemented, would be disastrous for Tumakuru district's farmers, the minister told ET. Somanna said: "I come from Kanakapura myself, but that does not mean we snatch someone's share of water. I have told this to Shivakumar several times, but the government is going ahead. Instead of looking at our water, Shivakumar must strengthen water bodies in his own district for local use." Shivakumar holds the Water Resources portfolio, while his co-brother Dr HD Ranganath is a Congress MLA from Kunigal in Tumakuru district. Somanna's two-page letter to the Chief Minister flags threats to Kunigal's share of water from the river Hemavathi from the proposed project. The Tumakuru MP, in his letter, said the government has already allocated 901 cusecs of Hemavathi water to Turuvekere, Gubbi, Tumakuru, Tumakuru rural, and 388 cusecs to Kunigal taluk. There is no more water left for allocating to other places. The Hemavathi Express Link Canal Feeder project is designed to hurt the interests of Tumakuru district, especially Kunigal taluk by proposing to divert its share of water to Shivakumar's native district, Somanna said. The Water Resources department's initiative has left local farmers deeply worried over the potential water deficit for irrigation in their region. TG HALLI, MANACHANABELE DAMS The union minister said there was ample scope to supply water to Magadi, Ramanagara and Kanakapura taluks from Thippagondanahalli and Manchanabele reservoirs in Bengaluru South district, yet the government was creating confusion and concerns in the neighbouring district. This should not become a project that disturbs peace in the region and cordial relationship between the people of the two neighbouring districts. Somanna urged the CM to intervene and stop the project before people take to the streets in protest and things go out of hand. He also urged the CM to inform him about the status of the project by May 31, or else own up responsibilities for the consequences. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Union Minister of State Somanna flays closure of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Karnataka
BENGALURU: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V Somanna, criticised the Congress-led state government's decision to shut down Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the state, calling it an 'anti-poor' move that will hurt disadvantaged communities. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Somanna expressed disappointment, stating that the closure of these centres - which offer affordable medicines and surgical items - would affect the lives of the poor and backward classes who rely on the scheme for low-cost healthcare. 'I am deeply disappointed by the state's decision to not only stop accepting new applications for Jan Aushadhi Kendras but also to refuse renewal of licenses for the existing ones,' he wrote. Somanna pointed out that the Jan Aushadhi scheme has been running for over 15 years and was launched with the aim of reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for the poor. He added that the initiative was being implemented under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite CM Siddaramaiah's long political experience, Somanna said the decision to shut the Jan Aushadi Kendras seemed to go against public welfare. 'I fail to understand what kind of advice or situation has led to such a move,' he said, urging the CM to reconsider and withdraw the order in the interest of the public. Recently, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had clarified that only the Jan Aushadhi Kendras functioning within the premises of government hospitals,180 of them, have been suspended and those operating outside government hospitals will continue to be operational. The minister said that all hospitals must provide medicines free of cost and the move to phase out all kendras running within hospital premises is to ensure the same.
