Claims and counter-claims by candidates for the Lok Sabha elections to take credit for funds, for lift irrigation projects, are flying thick and fast during campaigning for the Shivamogga parliamentary seat. The State government, in the 2019-20 budget, has sanctioned funds for projects like the Hosahalli lift irrigation, the Puradakere lift irrigation, the Mugur lift irrigation, and the Mudi lift irrigation.
While campaigning, B.Y. Raghavendra, BJP candidate, and Madhu Bangarappa, JD(S) candidate, are trying to claim the credit for getting these schemes sanctioned.
Addressing meetings, Mr. Raghavendra has been saying that in November, 2018, he and B.S. Yeddyurappa, BJP State president, met D.K. Shivakumar, Water Resources Minister, and requested him to give approval for these projects. He claimed that because of his efforts the sanction was given.
Mr. Bangarappa, on the other hand, refers to a 90-km padayatra taken out by him from Kubatur village to Shivamogga in November, 2017, for the implementation of the projects. He is claiming that owing to his request Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had sanctioned these projects.
The implementation of these projects will provide water for drinking and irrigation purpose for Shivamogga, Sorab, and Shikaripur taluks that were affected by drought from 2015 to 2017.
