BANGALORE: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Monday proved that he suffers from a “rollback syndrome” and he has no qualms to blame the media for this. Within 24 hours of saying in Tumukur district that his government was committed to implement the Netravathi Diversion Project (NDP) to supply drinking water to the Chitradurga, Tumkur, Kolar and Chikkaballapur, the CM made a total U-turn on Monday when he asserted that the project cannot be implemented considering its negative impact on the Western Ghats.
“The NDP is hazardous to environment...it would have negative impact on the Western Ghats. There is no question of implementing it,” Gowda told reporters at Kuppalli in Shimoga district.
It may be recalled that Gowda on Sunday had said that the NDP will be implemented by taking those who are opposing the project into confidence. “In this regard, a meeting of elected representatives of districts in concern will be convened,” the CM had added.
Surprised media persons when asked what triggered his U-turn, Gowda, in turn, blamed the media for misquoting him.
“What I said was that the government was committed to provide water to the four districts that were under the NDP. But I have never said that the project will be implemented,” Gowda claimed.
He said the government has reserved Rs 200 crore towards Ettinahole project and working out towards its implementation. He said the government is mulling over a ban on selling power to other states by sugar companies under section 11 of Electricity Act, 2003.
Presently, about 400 MW power is being produced by various sugar factories through co-generation units in the state. The government had discussed the issue with authorities of sugar factories and requested them to sell the power to the state, he added.
He said the state government had written to the Centre to drop the idea of Tiger project to be established in Kudremukh and Bhadra Reserve Forests. The government came up with a blueprint towards development of naxal-hit areas in the state. That also includes activities such as recruitment, electrification, developing schools, the CM elucidated.
‘This Sankranti Ain’t Anything Special’
“I will observe Sankranti every month...this Sankranti isn’t special. I have successfully managed the responsibility assigned to me,” was how the CM reacted when questioned about a change in the political landscape after the festival.
He said in Shimoga that BJP candidate for Udupi- Chikmagalur Lok Sabha byelection will be announced only after the opposition parties announce theirs.