From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Nov 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired a meeting of Southern Chief Ministers Council in Tirupati on Sunday, has directed the Union Water Resources Ministry to proceed on granting approval for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and Palar River Inter-Linking projects only after a decision on sharing of river waters as requested by Karnataka.
This was disclosed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to the media at his official residence after his return from Tirupati on Monday.
Bommai said Amit Shah, who is also the chairman of the Southern Chief Ministers’ Council, has given several directions to the Union Water Resources Ministry officials.
The Chief Minister said he had urged the Union government to ensure that an official gazette notification on the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal’s award and also on several irrigation projects in the State.
Karnataka has also demanded that the Centre should resolve the issue pertaining to grant of land for the Metro rail project, Bommai said.
He also pointed out that the use of antibiotecs were affecting the fisheries industry, especially on the export front.
The Chief Minister said he also raised the Mekedatu issue at the meeting but the issue could not be discussed due to the absence of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. However, the Union Water Resources Ministry has been apprised of the problems in implementing the Mekedatu project. It has also been discussed with legal experts during his visit to Delhi, Bommai said.
The Chief Minister pointed out disputes with Tamil Nadu dates back to pre-Independence times and apprised the Union Home Minister that the neighbouring State was unnecessarily indulging in water politics and has been objecting to Karnataka for its projects despite the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal and its award.
“We have urged the Union Government to ensure that all the inter-State water disputes, especially with Tamil Nadu must be amicably and judiciously settled,’’ Bommai said.
Answering questions, the Chief Minister said two meetings have already been held on the peripheral ring road project. There have been some changes in the project, which would be resolved soon, he said.
Nirmala’s video conference with CMs
The Chief Minister participated in the video conference held by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from Delhi with all State Chief Ministers on Monday evening.
The Chief Minister was assisted by Chief Secretary P Ravikumar, Finance Department Additional Chief Secretary I S N Prasad, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary N Manjunath Prasad, Home and Public Works Department Chief Secretary Dr E V Ramana Reddy and Infrastructure Development Department Chief Secretary B H Anil Kumar.