M.B. Patil, MLA representing Babaleshwar, has accused the State government of deceiving the people of Bijapur and Bagalkot districts because it had earmarked only Rs. 1,200 crore for nine irrigation projects in phase 3 of the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) as against its promise of Rs. 3,600 crore.
Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, Mr. Patil said that of the Rs. 1,200 crore allocated for nine irrigation projects in phase 3 of the Upper Krishna Project, Rs. 342 crore has been earmarked for the long-standing Mulwad lift irrigation project which is one of the most significant projects that contemplates irrigation to Basavana Bagewadi taluk of Bijapur district and Jamakhandi taluk of Bagalkot district.“ In the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the government had promised to complete Mulwad lift irrigation project within seven years, but looking at the amount of funds being granted and slow pace of work, it appears that the project will take decades to see the light of day”, Mr. Patil remarked.
Mr. Patil said that without sanctioning adequate funds, the government was planning to perform ‘bhoomi puja’ for the project within a week. The entire exercise of the government to lay the foundation stone for the project without allocating adequate funds was only aimed at taking credit for the project and fooling people. “It is nothing but an election gimmick”, he said and sought to know from the MLAs and MPs of the BJP of both the districts why they were keeping quiet on the issue.
