BELAGAVI: Seems like the ongoing winter session in Belagavi has little respite for the farmers of north Karnataka, who have been fighting for Mahadayi waters.
Addressing the Assembly on Thursday, Water Resources Minister M B Patil detailed the steps taken by the state government to solve the decade-old water issue.
He said the government believes in intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to solve the water dispute between the three states.
“As the tribunal suggested, the Prime Minister should convene a meeting of CMs of Mahadayi basin states - Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa - to solve the dispute,” he said.
Taking a dig at the government’s decision, JD(S) members led by Navalgund MLA N H Konaraddi, staged a protest at the well demanding the government to take a firm decision on Mahadayi.
Responding to them, Siddaramaiah clarified that his government was doing everything to reach out to the CMs of Maharashtra and Goa. “We have also met the Union Water Resources minister to discuss the issue. In a federal system, its important for the Prime Minister to intervene to solve the problem,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said that it was ironic that the Congress government was pinning hopes on PM Narendra Modi.
“However we did not see the Congress mounting pressure on Manmohan Singh who was the PM for a decade. The state BJP will try its best to solve the matter. However before we approach the Prime Minister, there must a positive atmosphere to have a dialogue,” he said.
This angered Congress members. Quoting a recent announcement of former CM B S Yeddyurappa, who promised Mahadayi waters in 24 hours if he comes to power, Siddaramaiah said the BJP must stop playing politics and demand an intervention of the Prime Minister.