K'taka Congress to go ahead with Mekedatu padayatra from Jan 9-19 despite COVID restrictions
Bengaluru, Jan 5: The Congress in Karnataka on Wednesday decided to go ahead with its 'padayatra' (march) from Mekedatu to Bengaluru, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery river, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions.
Describing government's COVID containment measures, announced on Tuesday night, as a "conspiracy" to "scuttle" their padayatra, state Congress president D K Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah told a joint press conference that they will go ahead, abiding by the guidelines.
The Congress' march from Mekedatu to Bengaluru, covering a distance of over 100 kilometres, demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project, which is being opposed by neighbouring Tamil Nadu, is scheduled from January 9 to 19.
"At the meeting of senior leaders of the Congress party, it was discussed in detail, and the consensus decision is that we should go ahead with the padayatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu drinking water project," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, he accused the BJP government in the state of wanting to scuttle the padayatra and with that intention on Tuesday it issued an order imposing certain COVID restrictions.
"There is a conspiracy in the government's attitude, and in order to expose this conspiracy to the people of Karnataka, we will go ahead with padayatra, by taking all precautions like using sanitizers, wearing masks, maintaining distance and wearing hand gloves...the government's intention is not bona fide, it is malafide and the restriction imposed are deliberate," he added.
The Karnataka government on Tuesday decided to impose curfew on weekends and restrict public gatherings to fight the third wave of COVID-19 till January 19. It has also decided to continue the night curfew for two more weeks, and has prohibited all rallies, dharnas, protests, among others.
State Congress chief Shivakumar said their "walk for water" is being supported by several organisations, but state government and the ruling BJP is unable to digest it, "has conspired to scuttle it by imposing COVID restrictions". "There is no medicine for jealousy".
Noting that the government's order prohibits all rallies, dharnas, protests till January 19 morning, he said, "we are marching for the state's interest, not to do politics. We will go ahead with the march for water, following all the rules and guidelines as per schedule."
"BJP should mind that no one can stop flowing water, blowing wind and rising sun.....we are committed to our decision to go ahead with the padayatra," he added.
When questioned about taking out the padayatra when COVID cases are rapidly increasing, Siddaramaiah, accusing the government of "double standards", said "does it (rules and guidelines) apply only to Congress party and not for BJP? Why did PM Narendra Modi go to Punjab today? Why CM has gone to Nagamangala today? Does it not apply to them? They are running the government. Their responsibility is more than the opposition."
The ruling party is violating their own government's circular, but expects Congress to abide by it, he said, adding that "we will obey and respect the law, we are law abiding citizens. We will go ahead with the padayatra by taking all precautions."
Asked what if they are stopped by authorities, he said, "no chance at all....let's see...we are ready to face any consequences...if they impose prohibitory orders myself, Shivakumar and couple of other leaders will march by following rules."
Claiming that BJP fears that it will get exposed, as they haven't done anything for implementation of Mekedatu project, Siddaramaiah further alleged that the state government has failed to impress on the Centre, which is showing "step-motherly attitude" towards Karnataka, to provide necessary approvals and clearances for the implementation of the project.
The Congress government initiated the project while in power, but the BJP has wasted time, he alleged, as he also criticised the saffron party for not stopping its Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai from protesting against the implementation of the project.
"They are more interested in expanding BJP in Tamil Nadu, rather than implementing the project in the interest of the state," the former CM added.
Mekedatu is a multipurpose (drinking and power) project, which involves building a balancing reservoir, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district of Karnataka.
The project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and also can generate 400 MW power, and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 9,000 crore.
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Centre sanctions additional 4.68 lakh houses for poor people in Karnataka: Union Minister Chauhan
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Saturday said the Centre has sanctioned an additional 4.68 lakh houses for the people from the economically weaker sections in Karnataka.
This is apart from the 2.57 lakh houses sanctioned by the Centre originally, Chauhan, who holds rural development, agriculture and farmers' Welfare portfolio, told reporters here.
The Minister said he had a meeting with Karnataka rural development, revenue and agriculture ministers this morning.
After Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister for the third term, he sanctioned 2.57 lakh houses in September as part of his commitment to provide a 'Pucca' house for every poor family of the state and released grants for it, he said.
"Now we have decided to increase the target and, in all, we have sanctioned 4.68 lakh additional houses. For BJP, serving poor is the worship of God," the Minister said.
Chauhan appealed to the Karnataka government to complete the housing project at the earliest. Under the Border Area Development Scheme Rs 97 crore will be released for Karnataka, the Minister said adding that the Centre also agreed to release additional grants for the mechanization scheme in the agriculture department.
The Centre has also sanctioned additional staff under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme.
Chauhan said, "I appeal to the state government to utilise these funds on time and send us the Utilisation Certificate."
When asked about Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's allegation about unjust and unequal distribution of funds by the Centre, he said, "I have brought funds to Karnataka. There are two types of politics. One is the politics of blame game and second is politics of development and public welfare. The BJP believes in the second one."
