Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 26: The much-awaited talks on the controversial Yettinahole project, in the presence of chief minister Siddaramaiah and several cabinet ministers, people's representatives and activists from Dakshina Kannada saw heated exchange of words, but ended in a deadlock as the state government stuck to its decision of continuing with the project, even as BJP leaders from the coastal region and activists boycotted the meeting and walked out in ire.

The meeting was convened in the chief minister's official residence 'Krishna' in Bengaluru on Monday December 26 to resolve the controversies surrounding the project, especially with regard to the massive deforestation it inflicts. Apart from the CM, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, food and civil supplies minister U T Khader, minister for water resources M B Patil, fisheries minister Pramod Madhwaraj, MLC Ivan D'Souza, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLA Sunil Kumar, MLA Abhaychandra Jain, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA Vasanth Bangera, former minister Krishna J Palemar, activists like Dinesh Holla, Dr Niranjan Rai, M G Hegde, Vijaykumar Shetty, who have been leading the anti-Yettinahole protests, and many others took part. Also, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, former MLAs and activists from six other districts were present.

Addressing the meeting, Krishna Palemar termed the project as 'unscientific' and demanded its immediate withdrawal. "Yettinahole project is unscientific. An attempt is being made to mislead the people. Forget 24 TMC, even 6 TMC of water will not be available from this project. We are not opposed to providing drinking water, but what can be done water is insufficient in our own district? Dakshina Kannada district will face adverse situation if this project continues. Even scientists and experts have said so. The state government is not responding properly," he said.

Water resources minister M B Patil however stuck to his ground. "We have collected all relevant information in detail. We have been told that Dakshina Kannada too will face water scarcity due to this project, and we will take necessary action to resolve the scarcity. However, the Yettinahole project will go on unhindered, as planned. It has already been approved and the tender was called by previous BJP government." he said.

He also said that between March and June 2017, 50 percent of the lakes will be filled to meet the water demand.

Ramanath Rai criticised the BJP leaders for their 'dual stand' on the project. "Yettinahole project will continue. BJP leaders are like two-headed snakes. They speak in support of the project in Kolar, and against it in Dakshina Kannada, and they are doing so for votes from both districts. Was it not the BJP government that approved the project?"

The BJP representatives and anti-Yettinahole activists, who took offence at this tirade, told Rai, "You had earlier strongly opposed this project, why are you not opposing it now, simply because you are now a minister?"

To this, Rai retorted, "I will not talk to Godse-vaadi people like you."

The activists and BJP representatives got angry at Rai's statement and walked out.

The chief minister, after listening to both sides of the argument, said, "We will go ahead with the project as planned. We request everyone to support the project, and assure that adequate arrangements will be made to provide drinking water in coastal districts as well."

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "We did not get any answer to our questions on Yettinahole project. The state government is adamant about continuing the project. It is not bothered about responding to the concerns of the people of Dakshina Kannada. We are not opposed to giving drinking water, but the reality is that there is no water to provide.

"We urged the government to form a fact-finding team to study the project and its implications in detail, and demanded that the project be put on hold till the team's report is out. We suggested that the team could include experts from Kolar, Dakshina Kannada and the water resources department. But the CM did not relent. Hence, we boycotted the meet and walked out," Kateel said, adding that the protest against the project would continue.

"For the sake of power, ministers from our own region did not support us," Kateel alleged.

"Protests against the project have been going on for the past three years in our district. Even in the meeting, the same lies as said in the detailed project report (DPR) were repeated. It is the right thing to do if people of Kolar indeed get drinking water, but the fact is, they will not."

It is learnt that among the Congress MLAs, only Vasanth Bangera and Shakuntala Shetty supported the activists.

Arguments continue

Even after the meeting was over, the two sides continued to argue outside.

The activists and BJP representatives took the Congress ministers and MLAs to task for supporting the project.

"Your constituencies have no drinking water. How can you speak in support of the project? Do not do that just because you are part of the ruling government. Look at the faces of the people of your constituency and join them in their struggle," Nalin Kumar reportedly told U T Khader.

There was heated exchange of words between MLA Mohiuddin Bava and activist Chakravarthy, wherein the latter told Bava, "It is the people of your constituency who voted for you, not the people of Bengaluru. Come and join us in this protest. Do not dance to the tunes of the government."

Former minister Nagaraj Shetty then intervened and calmed down the situation.