TN's objections to Karnataka's irrigation projects is their "political adventure": Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru, Jul 4: Terming Tamil Nadu's objections to the state's irrigation projects as "political adventure" by the new government there, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said Karnataka will fight it out legally.
He also expressed hope for a positive response to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's letter to his Tamil Nadu counterpart urging him not to object to the Mekedatu project, while reiterating the state's stand that the project will be beneficial for both the states.
"Tamil Nadu has always been objecting to Karnataka on the water issue, whether it is in the Cauvery main stream or small streams in the Cauvery basin.
After the tribunal order and constitution of the Cauvery board it has become difficult for them," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Mekedatu project will be undertaken within Karnataka's limits, the submerged areas will be in the state's territory, also it is a drinking water project and will in no way affect Tamil Nadu's share of water.
"It is to utilise the surplus water after releasing their (TN) share, but still they have gone to the Supreme Court. Also from the beginning they have been raising objections on the Markandeya dam issue.
New government has taken charge (in TN), so it is their political adventure by making small things a bigger issue for their political needs.. We will fight it out legally," he added.
Chief Minister Yediyurappa on Saturday wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart M K Stalin urging him not to oppose the Mekedatu project "in the right spirit" and offered to hold a bilateral meeting to address any issues.
This even as, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan on Saturday reiterated objection to another irrigation project of Karnataka, stating that irrigation for about 870 hectares in his state's Krishnagiri district would be affected by new dam across river Markandeya, and urged the Centre to set up a tribunal to resolve the issue.
Referring to Yediyurappa's letter to Tamil Nadu CM on the Mekedatu project, Bommai said we hope for a positive response, as the project will be beneficial for both states.
"From the Mekedatu project, we will get drinking water, while the surplus water stored will also help them (TN) during the distress year.
Despite knowing that the project will benefit their state and also us and it is a win-win situation for both, they have objected to it in the Supreme Court and our lawyers are attending it," he said.
Mekedatu is a Multipurpose (drinking and power) project, which involves building a balancing reservoir, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district.
In response to Yediyurappa's letter, Stalin on Sunday requested his Karnataka counterpart not to pursue the Mekedatu project.
Rejecting Karnataka's stand that implementation of this project would not affect the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers, Stalin, in a letter to Yediyurappa, said that this view cannot be agreed upon.
Tamil Nadu has been vehemently opposing the project, raising apprehensions that the state will be affected if the project takes shape.
The project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighboring 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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Delhi Police busts LPG black marketing racket in Bawana, 75 cylinders seized; 1 held
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has busted an LPG cylinder hoarding and black marketing racket in the Bawana area, an officer said on Friday.
A 50-year-old man, identified as Anil, has been arrested and 75 cylinders seized, he said.
The accused was apprehended following a tip-off about the illegal storage and transportation of LPG cylinders in the industrial area.
Acting on the input, a police team laid a picket near District Park in Bawana on Thursday evening. Around 4 pm, a pickup truck was intercepted and checked, leading to the recovery of 27 LPG cylinders, including both domestic and commercial units.
"When questioned, the accused failed to produce any valid documents, including a licence, permit, stock register or proof of ownership for the cylinders," the officer said.
During interrogation, Anil revealed that more cylinders were stored at nearby premises. Based on his disclosure, police raided two rooms and an iron shed near a factory in the area.
"A total of 48 additional cylinders were recovered, taking the overall seizure to 75. The cylinders were stored without safety measures or legal authorisation, posing a serious risk," the officer said.
Disruptions in maritime supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict have caused an LPG crisis in India.
