The former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda conducted an aerial survey of the Harangi reservoir in Kodagu on Sunday, to assess the water-level in light of the Tamil Nadu government’s demand for release of more water from Karnataka.
However, Mr. Gowda disappointed local party leaders and workers as his helicopter did not land. He was expected to arrive at 11.30 a.m. but due to bad weather, he made the trip at 1.30 p.m. He studied the water-level from the helicopter before moving on to the Krishnaraja Sagar, according to information received here.
The water-level in the reservoir has come down drastically this year, to 2,794.06 ft against the optimum level of 2,859 feet. The water-level last year during the corresponding period stood at 2,814.83 feet. There has been a severe decline in the outflow into the canals as well.
According to an official of the Harangi division, the water release into the canals would only last for two more days.
M.C. Nanaiah, MLC, who was present at Harangi, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Karnataka Janata Paksha were involved in a ‘match fixing’ game. “If that was not the case, the BJP government would have gone at least two months ago,” he told presspersons.
“The people of the State will heave a big sigh of relief if the BJP government is dislodged at the earliest,” he added.
Challenge
Mr. Nanaiah challenged the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to topple the Shettar government. “Though the people of the State are frustrated with the BJP government’s rule, the BJP is trying to complete its term unethically,” Mr. Nanaiah alleged.
Speaking to presspersons earlier, B.A. Jivijaya, former Minister, and D.S. Madappa, former MLA, said that Mr. Gowda, was surveying the reservoir to apprise the Prime Minister on the situation. President of the Kodagu unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) V.P. Shashidhar, was present.
KRS survey
Mandya Staff Correspondent writes:
Mr. Gowda urged the Centre not to notify the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), till the State’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the award was disposed of by the Supreme Court.
The final award is against the State and has allocated more water to Tamil Nadu, he said.
Mr. Gowda added that he would soon submit a report to the Centre regarding the situation of reservoirs in the State.
