Mekedatu project: CM Kumaraswamy presides important meeting
‘Government is ready to convince Tamil Nadu’
Bengaluru, Dec 6: As the Central Water Commission has agreed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on Mekedatu project, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy chaired an important meeting of former chief ministers, irrigation ministers and legal experts at the Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday.
Former chief ministers Siddaramaiah, Jagadish Shettar, leaders H.K Patil, K.S. Eshwarappa, Basavaraj Bommai, Ministers D.K. Shivakumar and R.V. Deshpande and others participated in the meeting. As Tamil Nadu is preparing to file its objection against the Mekedatu project, the meeting discussed in length on taking up the project at the earliest. As the implementation of the project would not have any impact on Tamil Nadu, the state government has decided to convince its neighbouring state.
It will help TN
Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar said that “the objection from Tamil Nadu over the project is not fair as we are going to implement the project on our land. We have planned to utilize the water which flows into the sea and this will help Tamil Nadu”, he said.
Speaking to reporters after meeting, Shivakumar said that Tamil Nadu has been opposing the Mekedatu project for political reasons. The proposed project would not affect Tamil Nadu. Instead, it would help that state. The state government was ready to convince Tamil Nadu. Let the central government invite the chief ministers of both the states and solve the problem, he said.
Tamil Nadu government has convened a special Assembly Session to discuss the Mekedatu project. Karnataka would not use its water for irrigation purpose. Instead, it would just use it for drinking purpose. Tamil Nadu should not move the court in this issue, Shivakumar appealed.
A primary report of the Rs 5,916 crore project was ready. The government has taken one step forward. Total 4,996 hectare land would come under the project area, of which 380 hectare of land belonged to Revenue department and remaining land belonged to the Forest department. Since the Central Water Commission has given its green signal for the project, Karnataka would not backtrack from the project, he clarified.
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BESCOM to organise EV expo for Secretariat employees in Jan 2025
Bengaluru (PTI): To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EV), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) announced on Friday that a special EV fair will be organised for the Secretariat employees in January 2025.
During a meeting at the BESCOM office, Managing Director Mahantesh Bilagi said, "The fair is being organised following a directive of Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and will be conducted under the supervision of Energy Minister K J George and Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Gaurav Gupta."
According to him, the event aims to educate attendees about the benefits of environmentally friendly EVs and to encourage the adoption of two-wheeled EVs.
"During the fair, dealer discounts to government employees, particularly those in the Secretariat will also be offered. There will also be opportunities for practical demonstrations of the vehicles at the exhibition site," added Bilagi.
He said the Secretariat employees will also benefit from no down payment and low-interest loans to purchase the EV vehicles.
"EV companies are eager to participate and the sales will extend beyond the exhibition, continuing in the future," the Managing Director said.
The state, particularly Bengaluru, has the highest electric vehicle (EV) users, said Bilagi, adding that to support this, the Energy Department has provided essential infrastructure.
"BESCOM's efforts in promoting EV usage have been recognised with the 'Charge India 2024 Excellence' award. This award is a testament to our commitment to establishing excellent charging facilities. Karnataka has the country's most public electric vehicle charging stations, with a total of 5,765 stations, of which 4,462 are located in the Bengaluru Urban district," said Bilagi.
The Secretariat Employees' Association president Ramesh Sanga and other office-bearers, BESCOM Technical Director H J Ramesh as well as senior officials attended the meeting.
