Karnataka will withhold approval to Goa-Tamnar project, as Goa opposes Kalasa project: CM
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said the state will withhold its approval to Goa-Tamnar transmission project, which will be passing through ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region, as Goa is objecting to its Kalasa-Bandhuri Nala Diversion project.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, the CM urged Modi to intervene and ensure that the Kalasa project receives the necessary wildlife clearances at the earliest.
According to him, not only the project, which is crucial for fulfilling the drinking water needs of North Karnataka, has been pending for an unusually long time for Wildlife Clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), but the Goa Chief Wildlife warden has also passed an illegal order restraining Karnataka from undertaking any activities in it.
In view of the objections raised by Goa to the legitimate and long-pending drinking water project with minimum disruption to wildlife, and the consequent litigation that Karnataka has been forced into, the state has no choice but to reconsider its decision on clearance to the Goa-Tamner power Line, he stated in his letter.
He further stated that the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal Award was pronounced on August 14, 2018 and published in the Gazette of India on February 27, 2020.
"Total allocation made to Karnataka is 13.42 TMC, of which 3.9 TMC of water is for diversion for drinking water purposes (1.72 TMC from Kalasa Nala and 2.18 TMC from Bandura Nala). The state government has submitted a modified pre-feasibility report of Kalasa & Bandhuri Nala Diversion scheme (Lift schemes) to CWC on June 16, 2022 for clearances," said the CM.
Siddaramaiah said in his letter that Karnataka has challenged the Goa Wildlife Warden order in the Supreme Court, which is pending adjudication.
"The Standing Committee of the NBWL, in its meeting held under the chairmanship of the Minister for Environment, Ecology and Climate Change, on July 31, has deferred the proposal stating that the matter is sub-judice. Whereas, the same standing committee in its meeting held on August 23, has recommended the Goa portion of the Goa-Tamnar Transmission Line, for Wild life clearance," the letter further stated.
The CM also said Karnataka had agreed to the project only after the Power Minister in his letter on August 1 had assured him that instead of 72,817 trees, only 13,954 trees will be cut.
"Although cutting any tree in eco-sensitive zones is not desirable, in the interest of national development, Karnataka was ready to agree in principle despite the lands crossing the elephant corridor," he said in his letter.
In the event the wildlife clearance is given to Kalasa Project, Siddaramiah said he "would definitely look into the issues of giving approval to Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project".
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
