JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda expresses displeasure over Karnataka govt's handling of Cauvery issue
New Delhi (PTI): Amid protests in Karnataka against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda on Friday expressed displeasure over the Congress government's handling of the inter-state water dispute.
The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directing the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Karnataka has been maintaining that it is not in a position to release water, taking into account its own need for drinking water and irrigation in the Cauvery basin areas, as there has been water scarcity due to deficit monsoon rains.
"The state officials are not attending CWMA meetings physically. They are participating in it virtually... Will things work if you attend virtual meetings?" Gowda, a former prime minister, told reporters expressing dissatisfaction over the way the issue was being handled.
He said that since the Supreme Court has already pronounced its decision on the Cauvery water issue, he does not want to comment on it as a former prime minister.
Gowda, however, said that he had raised the Cauvery issue in the Rajya Sabha during the just concluded session of Parliament. But none of the MPs from the state, including Leader of Opposition Mallikarnju Kharge, spoke about it.
Farmers' bodies and members of various organisations in Karnataka, especially in the Cauvery heartland of Mandya and Mysuru, have been holding protests for the last few days against the release of the river water to Tamil Nadu. Farmers body Raitha Hitharakshana Samiti has also called a bandh in Mandya on Saturday.
The Tamil Nadu government had approached the apex court seeking an increase in the share of water to 7,200 cusecs from 5,000 cusecs per day. However, the court refused to interfere in the CWMA orders.
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.
Ban is not shocking, if I join BJP my ban will be lifted: Bajrang on NADA suspension
New Delhi (PTI): Suspended for four years due to his "refusal" to provide sample for dope test, Olympic medallist Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia on Wednesday said it was a vindictive move by the government which would quash the ban if he joins the BJP.
NADA said Bajrang violated the rules by refusing to give sample during selection trials for the national team on March 10.
The anti-doping body had first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist wrestler on April 23 for the offence following which, the sport's world governing body UWW had also slapped him with a suspension.
"It is not shocking because this issue about trial has been going on for last one year. I have said in the past too that I have not refused to give sample to NADA. When they visited my home to conduct the dope test, they came with an expiry kit (in December, 2023). I have also posted this on social media," Barjrang told reporters.
Punia, along with fellow wrestler and Olympian Vinesh Phogat, have joined the Congress Party earlier this year.
Bajrang added in his defence, "You can't give expiry kit to any player and as far as I am concerned, my team was there, so they saw it. They came carrying expiry kits dated 2020, 2021, 2022.
"I gave my urine sample but then my team checked the kit and found out that it was expired. So we made a video of the kit and we mailed NADA, called them to inform about the mistake. But they did not accept their mistake."
The wrestler alleged that the government is looking to get back at them for their involvement in the long-drawn sit-in protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a BJP politician.
"I also feel that because of our protest in support of the women wrestlers, they are trying to exact revenge because all the agencies are fall under the purview of the government.
"I have been competing for the last 10-12 years and I have given sample during all tournaments, during the India camps. But the government's motive is to break us, make us bow down to them. If I join the BJP then I think all my bans will be lifted," Bajrang claimed.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling or apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to, till April 22, 2028.
