`Bharati only concerned with Ken-Betwa project'

BELAGAVI: The Karnataka government on Thursday alleged that Union water resources minister Uma Bharati's fascination with the Ken-Betwa river linking project was taking a toll on other river interlinking projects, including the state's Mahadayi-Malaprabha project.
“The Union minister is giving top-priority to the Ken-Betwa project and it has dominated all the Jal Manthan meetings convened by the water resources ministry to discuss inter-state river water issues.The minister keeps asking only about the Ken-Betwa project and its pro gress. I don't understand why other projects including the Mahadayi, is not given priority,“ Karnataka's water resources minister M B Patil told the leg islative assembly .
The Ken-Betwa project per tains to interlinking of the Ken and Betwa rivers in UP and MP in order to meet the water needs of the drought-hit Bun delkhand region. Mooted 20 years ago, the first project of the NDA government's ambi tious mega river linking prog gramme had hit a hurdle as it envisaged diversion of land e falling under the Panna Tiger Reserve in MP . Though the proy ject would result in loss of 105 e sq km of tiger habitat, it is be“ ing expedited following press sure from the Centre.
Referring to the delay in the execution of the project, Bharati had recently remarked: “I consider causing delay to the project as a national crime.“
“Unlike the Ken-Betwa project, the interlinking of Mahadayi and Malaprabha rivers isn't complicated. Yet, it is not being given priority,“ said Patil.
Endorsing him, rural development and panchayat raj minister H K Patil said, “Why isn't she (Bharati) considering the delay in execution of the Mahadayi-Malaprabha as a national crime?“ He urged the Centre to ensure equal treatment to all states regarding resolution of river water disputes.