Accusing the government of neglecting the irrigation projects of the Krishna basin coming under the north Karnataka region, Panchappa Kalburgi, president of Krishna Bhima Coordination Committee, has said that the government has so far spent only Rs.1,590.17 crore of Rs.11,405.01 crore for the nine irrigation projects coming under the basin.
Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, he said that the Congress government came to power by promising the people of north Karnataka that major irrigation projects of this region coming under the Krishna basin would be completed in time-bound manner.
Stating that the party, after coming to power, has spent only 8 to 10 per cent of the total allocated funds, he said that if the pace remains same, then the government never complete the projects within five years as it promised.
“Due to slow progress, the cost of the project will also escalate, thus, the government will need more funds for its completion which would only act as financial burden on the State exchequer,” Mr. Kalburgi said.
Rehabilitation
He said that the for raising the height of Almatti dam from 519 meters to 521 meters, the government would required a 4000-acre land for rehabilitating the villagers whose houses would be submerged in the water and 13,000 acre needed to be acquired for building canals.
When such is the huge requirement, the government was moving at a snail’s pace in acquiring land for the project, he said.
Mr. Kalburgi urged the MLAs of Vijayapura district and the MLAs of Krishna Basin to be united demanding the government to expedite the work than merely rendering lip service.
He also demanded the government to allocate project-wise funds in the budget instead of vaguely reserving funds of Rs. 10,000 a year for the project.
Sugar mills
With regard to the delay in sugar mills giving money to sugarcane farmers, he accused the government of not being serious in making the mills owners pay the justifiable price.
Mr. Kalburgi also took a dig at the farmers’ union as he accused them of neglecting the interest of the farmers of the State.
“If these unions had come together to protect the interest of the farmers, then the government would have ensured the disbursement of fair price to the farmers,” he said.
He urged the unions to shed their differences and come together to the rescue of the farmers.
