Pics by Rons Bantwal
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 11: A high-level ministerial delegation from Karnataka comprising Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Large and Medium Scale Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani and Agriculture Minister Umesh V Katti, which met Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on Wednesday has succeeded in persuading the neighbouring State Government to release 2 tmc ft of Koyna water for tackling the severe drought situation in the northern Karnataka region.

According to an official press release issued by the State’s delegation from Mumbai, the Maharashtra Chief Minister promised to ensure that the Koyna water would be released within the next two days.

The Karnataka ministerial delegation, which held discussions with Chavan, also comprised legislators Prakash Hukkeri and Kakasaheb Patil.

The Maharashtra ministers Nimbalkar, Sunil Padtare, Pathangarao Kadam and the State’s Water Resources Department Secretary were present during the hour-long discussion.

The State’s delegation submitted a demand for release of 4 tmc water from the Koyna dam as per the agreement signed in 2002.