Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/CLP)
Mangaluru , Aug 31: "The state government has appointed me as chairman of the legistlative standing committee for backward classes and minority welfare. Usually three-time MLAs and former ministers are appointed to this position, but the state government has kept faith in me and I am grateful to the government," said MLA of Mangaluru South J R Lobo.
Addressing a press meet at his office here on Monday August 31, Lobo said, "Nearly 60 percent of the population in the state belongs to backward and minority classes. My tenure will be for two years, and during this time, I will tour the state to effectively implement the programms of the government for the welfare of the suppressed backward classes and minorities.
Speaking on the proposed Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water project, Lobo said that the state government should implement this project only after taking the people of Dakshina Kannada into confidence. "I demand the government to prepare a detailed study report on the project by experts. Will it affect the Western Ghats or the coastal belt? If it does, then it should be opposed. If it does not have any adverse affect on the coastal region and the environment, the government can go ahead with the project after taking people's opinions into consideration," he said.
"In a meeting of MLAs and ministers from the undivided Dakshina Kannada convened by the chief minister, I had made by stand clear. I had asked the government to tell the people of Dakshina Kannada clearly about how exactly the project would be carried out and whether it would affect them or the environment. The government should be make sure if the project would meet the water requirement or not. The CM assured during the meeting that he would hold a public hearing with the people around Netravati," he said.
He also said that he has asked the government to construct a series of vented dams for the west flowing river at a cost of Rs 1000 crore which will increase the ground water and meet the demand for cultivation and drinking water needs of the city.
When media persons asked if he had not gone through the report of the Indian Institute of Science which claimed that the project would adversely affect the environment, Lobo said, "I do not know about the report by Indian Institute of Science. I have not gone through it."
Asked if the government would go ahead with the project if experts were to find that it would harm the environment, Lobo said, "I will stand by the people. If there is no problem, there is no objection."
When a reporter asked if he would urge the government to stop the ongoing work at Yettinahole till the study is complete, he said, "Yes I will. I will demand the CM to prepare a detailed project report and hold a public hearing, and to stop the work till the project report is ready."
Asked why the MLAs of the district had still not visited the project site, he said, "It was not necessary for me to visit the place. I will think about it."
To a query on whether he would join the protest planned on September 15 against the project, he said, "Being a representative of the government, I cannot protest. We have to look at other ways to solve the issue."
Govt must drop Yettinahole project: BJP
Meanwhile, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik also organized a press meet at the district BJP office to condemn the Yettinahole project.
"The Yettinahole project will be harmful to the coastal region. The project may provide drinking water to Chikkaballapur and Kolar region, but it is unscinetific and against the will of the coastal people. BJP strongly condemns the government's move in starting this project," Karnik said.
"The government must drop the project and provide an alternative soon, and also must consider the suggetion given by BJP. The government can install a solar power plant in Chikkaballapur and Kolar which can produce 750-1000 MW of power.
"Linganamakki Hydroelectric Power Plant produces only 500 MW of power. Linganamakki dam has 36 TMC of water and there is no need for land acquisition. This 36 TMC of water from Linganamakki can be supplied to Chikkaballapur and Kolar region through pipelines as the distance between Linganamakki and Chikkaballapur and Kolar is approximately the same as from Yettinahole. The extra water available at Linganamakki can be left into Jog Falls, which would increase tourist traffic and generate more revenue for the state. It also can provide jobs and boost financial activities," he said.
"The 12,000 crore Yettinahole project might provide solution to Chikkaballapur and Kolar, but it should not create problems to the people of coastal region and the environment. The project isharmful to the Western Ghats and will affect the fishing activites in the region. The government must drop the plan and find an alternative solution soon," he urged.
BJP leader, Ravi Shankar Mijar and BJP corporators, Sudhir Shetty Kannur and others were present.
Comment on this article
Sethu, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Mr. Lobo seems to be having a six months sleep-wake cycle. He got-up yesterday and realized lot of commotion on Yettinehole project is going around! If he do not react and respond, he may loose caution deposit in the next election. In fact, as a representative, he should lead the protest but he is not ready even to join millions of those elected him. He is not ready to stand with them during their testing times. Mr. Lobo is well aware that Congress Government had gone too far without statutory clearances and abandoning the project is not possible at this point of time. The position and response of Mr. Lobo is far better than that of Mr. U-Turn. This is an eye-opener for the people of DK. their representatives carefully during next general elections. We do not want those without spine to represent us!
DisAgree [3] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse
nagesh nayak, bangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015LOBO MAAM GOT POST UNDER " APPEASEMENT BHAGYA"
YEETINA HOLE PROJECT IS DESTRUCTION FOR MANGALORE DISTRICT.
FOR DESTRUCTION WORK HEAD IS LOBO MAMA.
DisAgree [12] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse
Tomcat , Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Don't trust Lobo, don't trust Congress and bjpeee. People carry on opposing be United regardless of caste and religion. Both these parties are a curse to the nation.
DisAgree [2] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse
Dominic, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015'Being a representative of the government, I cannot protest', but you Lobo Sir, are a representative of the people! Want stops you from joining the people's protest? What a load of hogwash from our elected leaders! The study report to be prepared after the work on the project is on??? Aren't all these reports supposed to be in the public domain. And you still haven't seen it? This is a critical issue for DK and why are our MPs, MLAs and MLCs taking it so lightly? Are the people of DK considered to be so dumb that they can be taken for a ride? Every single elected leader is just passing the buck but no one is standing up openly against it. Yesterday it was Khader, today it is Lobo, tomorrow who? Rather than working on a project which is self- sustaining and dependable, they are just hell bent on destruction of our beautiful DK (or whatever is left of it)with this calamitous Yettinahole project. This is only because self-sustaining projects don't allow our corrupt politicians to make money whereas here there is 12000 crores! Being given chairmanship of some committee is just one way to keep you from talking against the government and its flawed policies. The previous government sanctioned the project, today they say the project. No one takes a principled stand. If inspite of opposition, the project goes ahead, then the after-effects of water-diversion leading to water scarcity will be the highest at the time of next elections. At that time, none of the suffering people, be they backward classes or minorities or majorities, no one will support you or the other elected leaders. You will have to suffer and face the people's wrath and be on your way out!
DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse
JANARDHANA ACHARYA, BANGALORE/UDUPI/GURUGUNDI
Tue, Sep 01 2015The south Karnataka Coast is ment for Banking, Hotel, Tourism, Education, software, travels, Gulf and Mumbai jobs and business, some fine manufacturing and we are traders like Dubai. Our coast doesn't have the bearing capacity for Mega thermal plants, Refineries and any sort of megha dams. We need to make a fresh NERI report for our coast. We can not submerge Western Ghats into ocean & should not ask who did it? in the future.
DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse
Gangaram, Moodabidri
Tue, Sep 01 2015Ramesh S, in your word BJP is just to propose the projects and not to IMPLEMENT IT!! wa.. wa...
straight feku giri!!!!
DisAgree [5] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse
Karthik karkera, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015JR Lobo is trying to play safe by hiding behind reports and study, Mr. Lobo have the courage to oppose the project and take on your own government on this issue, please learn something from Janardhana Poojary. If you fight for the people against your own government you can win even as an independent in the next election else even you will have to look for some other constituency like Moily (chikkaballapur) or Gowda(Bangalore North)
DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse
Ramesh S, mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Congress has to give ticket to new face for next election, there is no chance JR LOBO winning next election..a myth created around him during election that he is very efficient & non corrupt..but it was blown out when he said he was in dark while signing MCC tax revision and transfer of MCC officer KOLARPATI who investigating multicrore scam in TOWNHALL renovation..He is not a mass leader, acts like leader of a particular community and who blindly behaves like a RSS/MODI hater..for each & every incidents without even preliminary investigation he seen supporting his vote bank..
DisAgree [8] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse
Vishal , Kankanady
Tue, Sep 01 2015So much water is flowing into the sea. Why can't they work out a strategy or plan pumping that water for the purpose somewhere else.
DisAgree [6] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse
Kung Fu Panda, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Sure, they can make a strategy, but that is not the problem. The real problem is that there will be no water to give. Check the government's water calculations - we don't have 36 TMC to give, but only 9 TMC. In summer, as you already know, there will be very less water in Netravati now itself. Water problems are there in DK in summer already.
In the end, it's technically very difficult to give even one of water. It can not be done because there is no water. So the hidden plan is to eat 12000 crores somehow in the name of the project, cut and sell the trees of western ghats, cause problems for fishing, all in the name of water diversion for helping the people in need of water.
Mess too much with nature and nature will hit back. In the end, breathing fresh air and drinking fresh water is more important than becoming a CEO of a fortune 500 company in a polluted city.
DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse
Ramesh S, mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015..width of pipe looks like KONKAN RAILWAY tunnel..from where they pump that much water..a layman can understand the hidden agenda and KAS JR Lobo says he want to study!!
DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse
Gangaram, Moodabidri
Tue, Sep 01 2015BJP'ans before your oppose Lobo statement and Khader statements, think twice who baby project is this???? its not from Congress but your own smile Gowda proposed it!!!.
yaake eega mosalle kanniru ?
DisAgree [8] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse
Ramesh S, mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Gangaram..thats why people voted out BJP..and you should know that only project initiated by BJP Govt..why Congress implemented it? why released fund?..Do you know what happened last time disgruntled JANNANNA called for Manglore Bundh..its a success..what will happen if BJP calls for protest..BJP will wait sometime, may be another one year..If DK MLAs didnt realise the gravity, it will disastrous for DK Congress..
DisAgree [7] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse
Gangaram, Moodabidri
Tue, Sep 01 2015OHH ANNA no need excuses now, BJP rejected not becuse of this project but because of your yeddy gang looted karnataka's whole and soul.
Mosalle kanniru beda swami.
India is not developed because of BJP's arrogant nature in Parliaments as well as in assembly.
Congress believes in Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padtha hai!!!
DisAgree [7] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse
Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Dear Ramesh S, mangalore,
BJP WAS NOT VOTED OUT FOR YETTHINAHOLE BUT BECAUSE OF BJP'S OWN CORRUPT, COMMUNAL AND CRIMINAL KOLE.
BJP-IANS ARE SHEDDING CROCODILE TEARS.
YEDDY, REDDY, CHADDY AND SADDHU HAVE ALL MADE CHATNI FOR THIS PROJECT.
HOPE BJP WILL MAKE KARNATAKA BUNDH SOON BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY EXPERT IN BANDHS.
DisAgree [6] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse
Pradeep, Mangalore/Bangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Ok, it is initiated by BJP but why congress is implementing it. They can reject this and look for alternatives to Kolar people.
There are lot of other options which could be implemented in Kolar region. They are wasting taxpayers hard earned money to this useless project.
The sufferer are people of DK and Sakleshpur.
ALl Khader, Moliy Lobo Gowda are useless morons!
DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Report Abuse
Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore
Wed, Sep 02 2015DEar Pradeep, Mangalore/Bangalore,
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROJECT. THEY CAN STOP THIS PROJECT INSTANTLY.
WHY THEY ARE NOT STOPPING THIS PROJECT. AND THIS HORN MAKING KARNIK JUST BLABBERING IN THE MEDIA AND THAT IS HIS CROCKED IDEA.
DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Report Abuse
Roshan Patrao, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Mr. Lobo, your stand regarding Yettinahole project is clear indication that you and your government do not want to shelve the project - for whatever reasons. In post-independence India, has any government ever taken its electorate into confidence before commencing any project? against this back isn't your statement utter hypocrisy? Instead of a detailed study about the project, it is enough if you work out if it is possible to provide sufficient water to Dakshina Kannada for the next 50 years from Nethravathi and Kumaradhara. Diverting rivers is a foolish idea there are other ways. Look what Rajendra Singh has done in Rajasthan. His method is time tested, does not harm nature and is economical and it will not allow our corrupt politicians and bureaucrats to loot the country to the tune of several thousand crore rupees. To say the least, you have cheated the very people who elected you with the hope that you would work for us. SORRY!
DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse
Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai
Tue, Sep 01 2015Oh Oh Lobo Mamu….it’s not the faith but rather giving last respects before you retire…. Because forget about electing next time in Mangalore region….. Yesterday Khadar Bhai said no one can stop the Project but now you sing the same song with another tune!!!! First decide yourselves in your Party regarding the Project status and then face the camera for press conference!!!!
DisAgree [14] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse
Ramesh S, mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015..LOBO wants to study!!..dont believe him..last time he said he didnt read the MCC tax documents when he signed!! He is well educated bureaucrat, still talks like illiterate..He is MLA since two & half years, but he didnt had time to study the proble which DK faces..but had plenty of time to Inaugurate commercial complex..
DisAgree [8] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse
Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai
Tue, Sep 01 2015…and he has time to visit and console the culprits were beaten red & blue for their wrongful action
DisAgree [8] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse
KRPrabhu, Kudla
Tue, Sep 01 2015Lobo mam maathu'bekkina thale mele deepa itta haag"......
Yenchina avasthe maarre!!!
DisAgree [6] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse
India First, India
Tue, Sep 01 2015Other than press conferencing and blame game, is anything else these people are doing ??
DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse
Hussain, Abudhabi
Tue, Sep 01 2015Now BJP will oppose ...But if they come to power they will start this project, change the project name and take credit !!
DisAgree [6] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse
John Roosevelt Lobo, Kaikamba / Dubai
Tue, Sep 01 2015Mr.Karnik did you opened your mouth when Colgate Smile Gowda sanctioned the project...????
DisAgree [9] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse
JNB, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015Meanwhile, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik also then chief minister Sadanada Gowda approved and signed this project?????!!!!!
DisAgree [5] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse
Cyril, Mangalore
Tue, Sep 01 2015When Yeddy Govt heading Bjpeans these people had sticker on their mouth. Now sticker gum released.
DisAgree [6] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse
Alok, kadri
Tue, Sep 01 2015YETTHINAHOLE PROJECT N INDRANI MUKERJEA CASE BOTH DONT HAVE A MEANINGFUL END..
PICTURE ABHI BAKHI HAINN!!!
DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse
Preetham, Bantwal
Tue, Sep 01 2015Politician playing Kabadi game!!! Kabadi Kabadi !!!! Truth behind the controversy is only few people top guys knows. Lobo said 60 percent backward and minority live. So project will go ahead. If population 100 percent forward class project will stop!!!!
DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse
VGVNORONHA, Kuwait
Mon, Aug 31 2015Except janardhana poojary no one in congress dared to speak against this project . Day by day it becomes controversial one . I think in future it looks to be Padyache yojan.
VV Gladys Noronha
Kuwait
DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse
Gopinath M. Nanu, Mangalure
Mon, Aug 31 2015Dear Capt., it is your baby too.....consult and seek help from Gowda to cancel the project....CAN YOU ??????
DisAgree [5] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse