K'taka not to compromise in river linking projects; will take steps to get state's share: CM Bommai
New Delhi, Feb 7: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said his government has a "clear view" on the proposed river-linking projects related to the Krishna, Pennar and Cauvery, and that it will take all steps to get the state's share of water and not compromise.
Bommai, who is in the national capital on a two-day visit, also told reporters that the central government has asked the Karnataka government to discuss with the states concerned before finalising a detailed project report (DPR).
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her 2022-23 budget speech, had proposed five river linking projects in the country -- Godavari-Krishna, Krishna-Pennar, Pennar-Cauvery, Dharmaganga-Pinjal and Par-Tapi-Narmada. Of these, Krishna, Pennar and Cauvery projects are of concern to Karnataka.
Asked about the three projects related to the state, the Karnataka chief minister said, "In river linking projects, our view is very clear and will take all steps to take the share of Karnataka."
The state government has taken the matter seriously as Krishna and Cauvery are the main rivers that are the lifeline for the state, he said and noted, "We will not compromise on this issue."
Asked if the state government has demanded its share of surplus water, Bomai said the issue of surplus water and river linking are different.
"It is linking of Himalayan and peninsular rivers. We have clarity on this. The same wiil be conveyed," he added.
Bommai had at the recently held Southern Zonal Council meet at Tirupati said peninsular rivers should not be interlinked before the state's share of surplus water is finalised.
The interlinking of Himalayan and peninsular rivers as well as the linking of 37 inter-state rivers had been mired in controversy since it was first proposed by the British in the 19th century.
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RCB pip CSK by two runs in last-ball IPL thriller
Bengaluru: Ayush Mhatre's 94 and Ravindra Jadeja's 77 not out went in vain as Royal Challengers Bengaluru pipped Chennai Super Kings by two runs in their IPL match here on Saturday.
Chasing 214, CSK scored 211 for 5 in their 20 overs.
Mhatre scored a 48-ball 94 with five sixes and nine fours while adding 114 runs with Jadeja (77 not out off 45 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s) for the second wicket.
For RCB, Lungi Ngidi returned with figures of 3/30.
Earlier, half-centuries from Jacob Bethell (55), Virat Kohli (62) and Romario Shepherd (53 not out) took RCB to 213 for five.
While Bethell and Kohli put on 97 runs for the opening wicket to set a platform, Shepherd blasted four fours and six sixes to make 53 not out off only 14 balls, recording the fastest fifty of the season and joint second-fastest overall.
For CSK, Matheesha Pathirana found his rhythm and lengths to return 3-0-36-3.
Brief scores:
RCB: 213 for 5 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 55, Virat Kohli 62, Romario Shepherd 53 not out; Matheesha Pathirana 3/36).
CSK: 211 for 5 in 20 overs (Ayush Mhatre 94, Ravindra Jadeja 77 not out; Lungi Ngidi 3/30).
