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
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.
NRI Kannadiga community should achieve greater accomplishments: Dr. Arathi Krishna
Bahrain: Dr. Arathi Krishna, Vice President of the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Forum, Government of Karnataka, participated as the Guest of Honour at the prestigious Global Women’s Economic Forum and Exhibition held on January 13, 2025 in Bahrain.
The international event, known for its pivotal role in empowering women entrepreneurs and professionals, provided a unique platform for showcasing business innovations and fostering leadership among women.
During the event, Dr. Krishna emphasized the significance of women’s contributions to entrepreneurship and technological advancements. She noted that the forum's dynamic workshops, panel discussions, and expert speeches offered specialized insights into innovative practices, financial management, and the adoption of new technologies. These knowledge-sharing opportunities are designed to support emerging women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive in a competitive global marketplace.
Highlighting the transformative power of such initiatives, Dr. Krishna remarked on the growing achievements of women entrepreneurs in traditionally male-dominated sectors. She acknowledged that the event not only celebrated success stories from across the globe but also inspired young women to pursue entrepreneurship and leadership roles. The participation of women-led businesses from diverse nations underscored the universal nature of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
Dr. Krishna also engaged in thoughtful discussions with successful women leaders and interacted with representatives of various Kannada associations in Bahrain. She reiterated her appeal to the global NRI Kannada community to strive for excellence and greater accomplishments in their respective fields.
