Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Aug 29: Senior Congress leader and former union minister Janardhan Poojary on Saturday August 29 criticized the Yettinahole project and said that it would be disastrous to the district.
Addressing a press meet at the district Congress office, Poojary said, "Netravati is an important river of this district and diverting its rivulets will kill the main river. Such experiments have been done in other parts of the country and the world and failed."
Giving examples, he said, "Kerala and Tamil Nadu had jointly agreed to divert three west flowing rivers to the east, but as a consequence, the rivers dried up and fertile land turned barren land. There was scarcity of fish and fishermen struggled to survive. People came to the streets. Water level reduced and people of Kerala began demanding water from Tamil Nadu.
"At the internatanal level, America diverted Colarado river by building dam, but as a result, the entire river dried up and crops were affected. There was scarcity of water and fertile land became uncultivable. The people of America then realized their mistake and demolished the dam," he said.
"In Dakshina Kannada there are many medical colleges, hospitals, and various institutions. What will happen if their demand for water is not met? What will be the situation? Farmers will come to the streets and hydroelectricity will be affected and there will not be enough power. It is the responsibility of people's representatives to see that this does not happen. Without applying any thought this decision has been taken," he added.
Making a veiled reference to former chief minister and Congress leader Veerappa Moily, he said, "A former Congress chief minister and former BJP chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda have given their nod for this project. They are sacrficiing the people of Dakshina Kannad. The entire fertile land will dry up. Except the MLAs of Puttur, Sullia and Beltangady, all other MLAs and MP are giving statements like they are sitting on the fence. People have elected them and it is their responsibilty to raise their voice."
"Mangaluru is going to develop as a Smart City, industries will come up here and population will grow. But we may not be able to provide sufficient water to fulfill the growing need," he added.
Criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mahadayi water dispute, he said, "When the all-party delegation went to meet the PM demanding 7.5 TMC of water, he gave an unsatisficatory answer. There are so many MPs in Karnataka who can speak up in Parliament. Is Modi a dictator?
Referring to the protest by Patel community in Gujarat over reservation issue, he said, "Modi is telling lies. During Lok Sabha elections he said Gujarat is a heaven but now he's exposed. Gujarat's Patel community which brought him to power is now protesting. A community which is economically strong is now demanding reservation. Within 16 months of his administration, Modi has been exposed. There were small industries and diamond factories in Gujarat which have been closed
Modi is also involved in hate politics and it is evident in filing cases of against Congress CMs."
"There is shelling going on at the border and retired soldiers are demanding One Rank One Pension. Black money is yet to come - there is not even white money either," he added.
Commenting on the recent Attavar incident where a man was tied to a pole, stripped and assaulted by right-wing activists and others, he said, "Who has given them the right to strip and assault and individual? The police commissioner has done a good job in arresting the accused and sending them to Ballari jail. But if S Murugan is a good commissioner, he should also identify the actual persons behind this incident and invoke Goonda Act against them irrespective of the community they belong to and take severe action."
Slamming the Sangh Parivar, he said, "Why cannot the Sangh Parivar guide its youths in the right direction? BJP and Sangh Parivar are using youths from OBCs and SC/STs. Don't they have any sympathy for youths? What is the future of these youths? They (BJP and Sangh Parivar) provoke them and leave - why can't they mould them into good citizens?"
Mahabala Marla, corporator Deepak Poojary and others were present.