Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (EP)
Puttur, Sep 27: "It is condemnable that the work on Yettinahole project is being continued keeping the people of Dakshina Kannada district in the dark and disregarding the directions of Green Tribunal. If the state government does not take people into confidence within the next ten days, I will be taking charge of the protests and join others on the streets," said Mangaluru MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.
MP Nalin was speaking to the media persons after inspecting the Yettinahole project site and getting an overview of the situation on Saturday, September 26.
"The Green Tribunal has directed that the work of Yettinahole project be stopped. Despite its directives, the work is progressing at a brisk pace. About 40 acres of land is taken up on lease and the work is going on in three places. The work is taken up ignoring the protests of the people of Dakshina Kannada. Only 9 TMC water will be available for which the government is spending a whopping Rs 13,000 crore. The general opinion among the people is that the government should instead take up a project that would provide water throughout the year. The government however has continued rejecting the order of the court and the feelings of the people.
"The progress of work without obtaining clearance from the union environment ministry and the hurry in which the funds were released show that the project is not being implemented in a disciplined manner. The government should inform how the water will be supplied to Kolar. If tomorrow, they do not get clearance from the ministry of environment, they cannot lay the pipeline. It appears the way the project is progressing that the government officials are more into swallowing hundreds of crores than being concerned about the welfare of people from Kolar," he alleged.
"The land is not acquired for laying massive pipeline for supply of water, no permission is obtained from the departments concerned, no action is taken for global tender process and the government is hesitating to take the people into confidence, all of which indicate that the project is not likely to be completed. It is only an excuse to swindle crores of rupees. A high level enquiry should be conducted with regard to the tender process. Another committee of experts should submit a report to bring out the truth. If there are lapses by the officials, they should be punished. They should tell the citizens what actually is the need to proceed with the work despite the stay order of the Tribunal," he demanded.
"The locals have said that there has been 80 inches of rain in Yettinahole area instead of the usual 140 inches. If the project is implemented, water can be obtained only for three months and not more than that. In the circumstances, is it necessary to spend such a huge sum of money?" the MP questioned.
"There have been protests against it, but the protests will be effective only when all the protesters become one. I will not shirk from my reponsibility towards the welfare of the people. I had not involved myself earlier as I felt that the matter should not be politicized. However if the question is of the survival of the district, I will not hesitate to come to the streets to protest," he said.
"The union government cannot intervene as the state government has applied for approval from the ministry of environment. I will do my best to protect the environment when the question arises," he said.
BJP district secretary Sanjeeva Matandoor, Ramachandra Baikampady, Kishore Shiradi, Sunil Daddu, Prasad and others accompanied the MP. Zilla panchayat member Keshava Gowda was present.