Karnataka CM meets Union Jal Shakti Minister, requests for clearance of Mekedatu reservoir DPR
New Delhi, Apr 5: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called on Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday and requested him for clearance of the detailed project report (DPR) for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river.
Bommai's meeting with Shekhawat on this issue came days after the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a unanimous resolution on March 21 condemning the Karnataka government for its "unilateral" decision to proceed with the Mekedatu project.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bommai said the state government is pursuing the Mekedatu project within the limits set by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
"Our project will not reduce the share of water that is to be given to Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the approval should be given to our DPR," he said.
The chief minister said that the neighbouring state will not face any problem with Karnataka implementing the Mekedatu multi-purpose project that involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district.
Tamil Nadu has been getting excess water that was more than its share and the state will get its due share decided by the tribunal, he added.
In the meeting, the chief minister also discussed the long-pending Upper Krishna Project-III that will increase the height of the Almatti dam from 519 to 524 metres. The matter is in the Supreme Court.
Two judges have recused themselves from hearing the matter. The hearing will start after the Supreme Court engage new judges to hear the matter, he said.
The chief minister also took up the Godavari-Cauvery river interlinking project and said the DPR should not be approved unless the states concerned get equitable distribution of water.
"Till this is done, we have asked them not to approve the DPR. They have agreed to this. They have said they will issue a direction in this regard," he added.
In a separate meeting with Union Power Minister R K Singh, Bommai sought clearance for pending projects.
Bommai said that he will meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday.
ಇಂದು ನವದೆಹಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಜಲ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಸಚಿವ ಗಜೇಂದ್ರ ಸಿಂಗ್ ಶೇಖಾವತ್ ಅವರನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿ ಮಾಡಿ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಹಲವು ನೀರಾವರಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳ ಕುರಿತು ಸಮಾಲೋಚನೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಯಿತು.
— Basavaraj S Bommai (@BSBommai) April 5, 2022
Met the Union Minister of Jal Shakti @gssjodhpur in New Delhi today and discussed about various water projects in the state. pic.twitter.com/o5KIZHgQFo
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Donald Trump sends Diwali greetings, condemns attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
Washington, Oct 31: Sending Diwali greetings, former president Donald Trump, who is the Republican presidential candidate, on Thursday condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh, vowed to strengthen ties with India and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his good friend.
Bangladesh, he said, remains in a total state of chaos and alleged that his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris and her boss President Joe Biden have ignored Hindus across the world and in America.
“I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
This is for the first time that Trump has spoken on the issue of Bangladesh. Hundreds of Hindus were killed in July-August in Bangladesh when a students’ agitation turned into massive protests leading to then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country on August 5.
“It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength,” he said.
“We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi,” Trump said.
“Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before and we will Make America Great Again,” he said.
“Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil,” said the former president, who is in a close fight with Harris for the November 5 presidential elections.
