Distress formula will be followed if there is no water: Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru, May 28: With the Cauvery Water Management Authority asking Karnataka to release 9.19 thousand million cubic water to the lower riparian states for June, the State government Tuesday said "distress formula" will be followed if there is no water and less inflow.
Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters here the CWMA's decision was discussed with officials and the matter was also being examined legally.
"We will respect the court decision, there is no doubt about it. But keeping the rain sand inflow in mind we will take necessary action. If there is no water or there is less inflow we don't have an option, we will have to go by distress formula," Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar told reporters here.
"We have informed our facts, we expect inflow this year as rains are beginning, in between there was a worry, now it (rains) has gradually started. If that happens we will abide by the order.
If there is no water, then we will have to follow distress formula," he said.
The decision to release the water was taken by the CWMA which was attended by the representatives of the Centre and the riparian states Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry.
"The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has taken a decision for the release of 9.19 TMC of water by Karnataka at the Biligundlu site for June this year," S Masood Husain, the chairman of the CWMA, said.
Shivakumar said, "if there is an emergency and if we are unable to take certain decisions due to issues, then we will call an all party meeting."
"I'm collecting legal opinion...keeping the interest of the state in mind and also abiding by the court's verdict we will take decisions," he said, responding to a question about review petition.
Commenting on the CWMA order, leader of opposition and BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa said if there is rain and there is inflow, there would not be any trouble in releasing water.
"As the order itself says about release of water if there is inflow, there is no reason to worry," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
