DK Shi proposes State Water Commission, his book ‘Neerina Hejje’ to be released by CM Siddaramaiah
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also oversees the Water Resources Department, has proposed the formation of a State Water Commission, modelled on the Central Water Commission, to guide the state government on water resource management and explore long-term solutions to inter-state water disputes.
“The proposed commission would look at all aspects, including drinking water, irrigation, providing water for industries, and other facilities,” The New Indian Express quoted Shivakumar as saying.
He said that, in addition to advising on inter-state water disputes, the proposed commission will assess the state’s water demand and availability, and hold farmers accountable for water usage. The commission will be set up shortly, he said, adding that a legislation is required to set it up.
The commission will also study the impact of global warming, assess water storage capacity in dams, and recommend measures for the efficient management of water resources during floods and droughts.
Recommending new irrigation projects, developing water bodies, and improving natural water resources will also fall under the purview of the State Water Commission (SWC).
Neerina Hejje, a book on the state’s irrigation sector penned by Shivakumar, is set for launch on Wednesday. The book will be released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.
Former water resources ministers Basavaraj Bommai, M.B. Patil and H.K. Patil have reportedly been invited for Shivakumar’s book launch.
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Next round of Iran-US negotiations expected soon: Pak's Defence Minister
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Islamabad (PTI): Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that the next round of Iran-US negotiations was expected soon.
Asif made these remarks on Monday, a day after the Islamabad talks failed to clinch a deal.
The 21-hour talks between the US and Iran on Saturday were the first of their kind since 1979 due to the involvement of top-level officials from both sides. The two sides, however, failed to secure a lasting peace deal to end hostilities following their talks in Pakistan over the weekend.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Asif said there had been a sense of satisfaction after the talks that there were no negative developments so far.
“Only positive progress has been observed,” he said, indicating that the ongoing diplomatic efforts were moving in a constructive direction.
The next round of Iran-US negotiations was expected soon, he added.
The Express Tribune reported that responding to a question about whether Pakistan would play a decisive role in shaping the region’s future, Asif said that ultimate decisions rest with Allah.
Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation at the negotiations in Islamabad, said the Iranian side did not accept Washington's terms for ending the war even as the US presented its "final and best offer".
Hours after the talks collapsed, US President Donald Trump said on social media that the negotiations with Iran failed as "Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions."
Pakistan led the diplomatic push to bring the two sides to the table, which became possible after an appeal by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this week, leading to a pause in the fighting.
The conflict began after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, paralysing global energy markets and disrupting trade.
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