Will release list of MUDA sites illegally allotted during BJP tenure: D K Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jul 25: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the government would soon release a list of Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) sites illegally allotted by the previous BJP regime.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, he said, "The media have reported that MUDA sites in question were allotted by the BJP two years ago. The BJP could have admitted it during the discussion in the Assembly session. They are scared that their misdeeds will come out."
He said the Congress government allowed the BJP to have a detailed discussion on the illegal money transfer in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation scam. However, the opposition party did not allow Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to respond, fearing being exposed.
Shivakumar said the truth will come out as the government has ordered an inquiry into all the scams that happened during BJP rule.
"The BJP is now raising a hue and cry about the MUDA alternative site scam. The chief minister has already ordered an investigation. Let the opposition parties provide any documentary evidence they have," he said.
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The deputy chief minister said there was nothing wrong in the allocation of sites to the chief minister’s family as per rules.
He added that if there was any irregularity, then it had happened during BJP rule.
"Investigations are on, and we will expose BJP’s scams during the tenure of B S Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai. They are trying to obstruct the functioning of the Assembly, we will expose all their scams," he added.
Asked about BJP’s plan to carry out a padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru to protest MUDA irregularities, he said, "Let them walk to Delhi, we will release the list and expose their scams," Shivakumar said.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
