Karnataka committed to Mekedatu project, to expedite dialogue with Centre: Dy CM
Bengaluru: Karnataka government was committed to the proposed Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, being opposed by lower riparian Tamil Nadu, and will expedite dialogue with the Centre, state Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan said on Wednesday.
Narayan, who is also the Ramanagara district in-charge Minister, held discussion with officials of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd on issues concerning the implementation of the project.
Mekedatu is a Multipurpose (drinking and power) project, which involves building a balancing reservoir, near Kanakapura in Ramanagaram district.
Tamil Nadu has been vehemently opposing the project, raising apprehensions that the state will be affected if the project takes shape.
The project would ensure drinking water to Bengaluru and that the government will expedite the process for seeking its approval from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Central Water Commission, Narayan was quoted as saying by his office in a release.
Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi has already spoken to the Union Minister twice in this regard, and "we hope to get the approval soon," he said.
The detailed project report was before the Central Water Commission and Karnataka would request it to review it soon, Narayan said.
Also, if approval was required from the forest and environment department, efforts will be made to expedite it.
The project will be helpful in releasing water to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court order and also 400 MW power can be generated, he said, adding that the estimated cost of the project was Rs 9000 crore.
On August 18, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had reiterated the state's opposition to the project and wanted the CWC and the Cauvery Water Management Authority to reject the proposal.
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Opposition stages walkout in RS over BJP MP's remarks on misuse of OBC reservation
New Delhi (PTI): The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed a walkout by several opposition parties over BJP member K Laxman's remarks that OBC reservation is being misused in the name of religion.
Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda criticised the walkout, saying the Congress leadership and the opposition's INDIA alliance are neither interested in debates nor have any respect for democratic values or the Constitution.
During Zero Hour, Laxman raised the issue of OBC reservation, and said their quota is being misused in the name of religion.
He said some states are extending reservations to Muslims and requested the government to order a comprehensive review of such religion-based reservations.
While he was speaking, certain opposition members raised objections to Laxman's remarks.
Later, almost the entire opposition staged a walkout from the House.
Nadda said the opposition parties are disrespectful to the Constitution and do not respect the parliamentary procedures.
He further said opposition parties consider Muslims as a vote bank, while accusing them of engaging in appeasement politics.
