Mekedatu project has to come into effect, says Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru/Chennai, Nov 27: A miffed Tamil Nadu Tuesday demanded that the Centre withdraw its permission to Karnataka for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery.
Reacting to the neighbouring state's demand, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy asserted that the project has to come into effect.
"No need to panic, Mekedatu project has to come into effect," Kumaraswamy said in response to a question about Tamil Nadu writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The State government within the framework of law, how it plans to implement the project by petitioning the central government. we will share with you in the days to come."
Kumaraswamy's comments come amid reports that the Central Water Commission (CWC) has given its go-ahead to Karnataka for preparing a DPR.
Bringing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's notice that the Central Water Commission has this month given its go-ahead to Karnataka for preparing a DPR, Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu had already opposed a feasibility report in the matter.
The CWC, without considering the genuine and justifiable objections of Tamil Nadu, has given permission to Karnataka to prepare the DPR for the Mekedatu project, he said in a letter to Modi.
The CWC's action has caused apprehension among people as its decision will affect the livelihood of lakhs of farmers who depend on the Cauvery water, he added.
"I request you to kindly...instruct the CWC to forthwith withdraw the permission given to Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd of Karnataka for preparation of the DPR for Mekedatu project," Palaniswami said, adding that he expected an immediate and positive reply.
Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, without sharing much details, said, the issue will be discussed in the meeting of former chief ministers and former water resource ministers called by the state government on December 6.
Meanwhile, state BJP Chief B S Yeddyurappa has complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Water Resources minister Nitin Gadkari and CWC members for "according clearance" to the Mekedatu Project meant to provide drinking water to hundreds of villages and Bengaluru.
He said the project was hanging in the balance since long and the state government should without any alibis go ahead with the project work including preparation and submission of DPR besides starting the construction works.
"The state government should consider this as a special case and allocate funds on priority basis to complete this project in a time bound manner," he said.
The previous Siddaramaiah government had decided to implement the Rs 5,912 crore Mekedatu Multipurpose (drinking and power) project across the Cauvery, which involves building a balancing reservoir with a capacity of about 66 tmcft, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
