The Rajya Vokkaligara Okkuta has asked the State Government to find a solution for drinking water problems in Tumkur, Chickballapur, and Bangalore, said okkuta's president M.R. Venkatesh.
Mr. Venkatesh told presspersons on Sunday that farmers from these parched districts were suffering. Schemes including Nethravathi River Diversion project would help people of the three districts. Asked if the okkuta was supporting the Nethravathi River diversion project, Mr. Venkatesh said: “We are in favour of schemes that meet their water needs. The scheme should not be at the cost of causing harm to other regions,” he said.
Mr. Venkatesh said the Okkuta wants the Congress unit to go for elections with a member from the Vokkaliga community leading the State unit. He said the coming elections would be dominated by caste politics.
Mr. Venkatesh asked Vokkaligas from coastal districts to submit their applications for the cash award of Rs. 1 lakh, which was given to the topper from the community in SSLC examination.
The okkuta was giving consolation awards for best performers in SSLC examination. Being the district that has topped in SSLC examination, the okkuta would like more applications from Dakshina Kannada, he said. The applications should be submitted to the okkuta's office in Basavanagudi by July 15.
Mr. Venkatesh said that the cash award and other consolation awards for the best performers in SSLC will be given during the Vokkaliga Dharma Sammelana to be held in Bangalore in August.
