Minor Irrigation Minister warns against direct use of treated water for agricultural purposes
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minor Irrigation Minister N S Boseraju on Tuesday warned of stringent action against individuals directly utilising treated water from the HN Valley and KC Valley irrigation projects for agriculture purposes.
The Lift Irrigation Scheme, a vital component of these valleys, channels treated water to districts like Bengaluru Rural, Kolar and Chikkaballapura, ultimately replenishing lakes to elevate groundwater levels.
The ongoing project has successfully increased groundwater levels, enabling agricultural use through borewells, according to the Minister.
Boseraju expressed concern over instances where second-stage treated water is being directly employed for agriculture, contravening project guidelines, a statement issued by the Minister's office said.
"While acknowledging the high quality of treated water, the Minister cautioned against its direct use, emphasising the need to preserve the project's primary objectives. Authorities have been directed to take robust action against those violating the directive," the statement read.
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Boseraju directed the officials to conduct regular inspections, preventing the direct use of treated water.
Individuals found violating the rule will face the consequences, the Minister said, adding that the officials failing to take necessary action will also be held accountable.
"This directive aims to safeguard the integrity of the irrigation projects, ensuring their effectiveness in raising groundwater levels and promoting sustainable water use in the designated districts," the statement said.
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LS speaker's resolution on Emergency triggers opposition protests
New Delhi(PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday read out a resolution condemning the imposition of Emergency and termed the decision by then prime minister Indira Gandhi an attack on the Constitution, triggering a wave of protests by the opposition in the House.
Birla's reference to the Emergency, shortly after his election as Lok Sabha speaker, also saw a face-off between the government and the opposition in the first session of the lower house.
"This House strongly condemns the decision to impose Emergency in 1975. We appreciate the determination of all those people who opposed the Emergency, fought and fulfilled the responsibility of protecting India's democracy," Birla said amid vociferous protests by opposition parties.
Opposition MPs, including from the Congress, were on their feet, raising slogans against the reference to the Emergency.
"June 25, 1975 will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India. On this day, then prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in the country and attacked the Constitution made by Babasaheb Ambedkar," the speaker said.
Birla said India was known all over the world as the mother of democracy.
"Democratic values and debate have always been supported in India. Democratic values have always been protected, they have always been encouraged. Indira Gandhi imposed dictatorship on such an India. The democratic values of India were crushed and freedom of expression was strangled," Birla said.
He said the rights of Indian citizens were crushed and their freedom snatched away.
"Those were the times when opposition leaders were jailed, the entire nation was turned into a prison. The then dictatorial government had put several restrictions on the media and there was restraint on the autonomy of judiciary," Birla said.
The speaker urged members to observe silence for a while and later adjourned the proceedings for the day.
Soon after the House was adjourned for the day, BJP members staged protests by waving placards and raising slogans outside Parliament.
