The Mahadayi-Kalasa-Banduri-Malaprabha Nadi Jodana Horata Samanvaya Samiti, Nargund, will organise a farmers’ convention at the origin of the Malaprabha in Kankumbi of Khanapur taluk on October 21.
The convention marks the valedictory of the 700 km-long padayatra by farmers, which took off from Kudalasangam of Bagalkot district, to exert pressure on both the State and Union governments to resolve the dispute on implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project and the sharing of Mahadayi water.
Announcing this here on Monday, Samiti leader Shankaranna Ambali said both the Union and State governments were insensitive to the plight of the people and residents of North Karnataka craving for drinking water. The ongoing struggle was a clear indication of the government’s failure and lack of will to resolve the row. The government failed to win the confidence of the riparian Goa and Maharashtra to find an amicable solution to the dispute.
He said the padayatra passed through 130 villages and nine cities in13 taluks of four districts. People were informed about the importance of linking the Kalasa-Banduri nalas, the tributaries of Mahadayi flowing in Goa, with the Malaprabha flowing in Karnataka was explained to the people and their support was sought to achieve the objective of the struggle.
The convention will witness participation of heads of various religious institutions and farmers, while the politicians would not be entertained. The convention would mainly discuss on the next course of action to sensitise the government on the drinking water needs of the people of Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and Belagavi districts.
Mr. Ambali made it clear that there was no plan or intention to demolish the vent (a wall) across the canal constructed to divert water from Kalasa nala at Kankumbi.
