Jayant Patil talks to Karnataka minister over ways to avoid flood
Mumbai: Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil and his Karnataka counterpart Ramesh Jarkiholi on Wednesday held a meeting here to discuss ways to avoid the possibility of flooding in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara.
The three districts in western Maharashtra and parts of Karnataka had witnessed devastating floods last year.
Patil said that the meeting, held at the Sahyadri Guest House here, was aimed at discussing ways to avoid such a scenario this year.
At the time of last year's floods, it was alleged that the Karnataka government had not released water from the Almatti dam on the Krishna River and its backwater caused flooding in the three districts of Maharashtra.
A panel constituted by the Maharashtra government after the calamity, however, had said that the devastating flood in western Maharashtra was not caused due to the dam.
"Held discussions with Karnataka's Water Resources Minister @RameshJarkiholi about Almatti dam to avoid possible flood situation in Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara. Both the states were hit by floods last year. The meeting was convened to avoid such a situation this year," Patil tweeted.
He said that formation of three committees is being considered to ensure coordination between the two states with regard to the dam.
The committees will be set up at the levels of engineers, secretaries and ministers from the two states, he added.
The two ministers also discussed how the neighbouring states can be alerted about possible flood situations.
Patil said "positive" discussions were held between the two governments on various water security issues.
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.
Two held at Bengaluru airport with hydroponic ganja worth Rs 5.79 cr
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people were arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport here for attempting to smuggle hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 5.79 crore, upon their arrival from Bangkok on Wednesday, officials said
They seized 16.54 kg of hydroponic ganja, which was concealed in the checked-in baggage, the Bengaluru Customs said in a post on 'X'.
Both the accused were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, it said.
Meanwhile, the Customs officials at the Bengaluru Airport also disposed of 287.5 kg of Ganja (Hydroponic Weed) and 1.17 kg of Cocaine seized under the NDPS Act, 1985, in accordance with CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs) Disposal Manual on March 17, it said in another post.
