Karnataka CM Calls Meet on Kalasa-Banduri Project
BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened a meeting of all-party leaders and floor leaders to discuss the Kalasa-Banduri project and other problems of the farming community.
Crop loss due to drought, problems of sugarcane farmers and continued farmer suicides will be discussed at the meeting to be held on August 23, a day after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections.
Speaking to reporters after meeting representatives of Mahadayi-belt farmers on Thursday, the chief minister said the state was staring at the worst drought situation in the last 40 years but the Centre was not responding to farmers’ problems.
“The Krishna basin is as important to us as the Cauvery basin. Both are the state’s lifelines. The government is committed to protecting the interest of farmers in Mahadayi and Kalasa-Banduri like in any other part of the state. There is no question of neglecting anyone,’’ the chief minister said.
“Unfortunately, the Centre is not coming to our rescue,’’ Siddaramaiah alleged.
Asserting that he does not believe in politicising issues related to language, land and water, the chief minister also appealed to all leaders of all parties to stay united to fight for the state’s right.
Siddaramaiah again criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not granting an appointment to the all-party delegation even after repeated reminders and writing three letters in the last three weeks.
Reacting to Siddaramaiah’s stand, Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister H N Ananth Kumar said the chief minister was indulging in letter politics.
“The Kalasa-Banduri issue is before a tribunal and the Centre cannot interfere. Fully knowing this, the chief minister is writing letters,’’ the minister alleged.