B.R. Patil, MLA from Aland, has opposed the State government’s Patala Gange project aimed at drilling earth deeper into the magma layer for water to meet drinking water requirements in arid regions.
Addressing a media conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Patil said that the initiative was completely unscientific and it would have an adverse impact on nature.
He suggested that the government have a dialogue with environmentalists, activists involved in water conservation, scientists and other stakeholders before implementing the plan.
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“We should live with nature in harmony. Antagonising nature for meeting our endless needs would definitely have an adverse impact. The government should involve premier institutes such as the Indian Institute of Science, experts involved in water conservation and nature and other stakeholders before implementing the plans,” he said.
Responding to Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil’s comments on the project, Mr. B.R. Patil said that Aland was a semi-arid region where drinking water requirements could be met through projects utilising surface water.
“The Minister recently said that the government planned to implement the Patala Gange scheme in Aland and Indi taluks that don’t receive rainfall. But, the reality is that Aland receives good rainfall. The Minister should look at the rainfall data for the last 70 years,” he said.
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Prohibition
Recalling the promise made by Minister for Medical Education and Kalaburagi in-charge Sharanprakash Patil to curb illegal liquor shops in the district, Mr. Patil alleged that no action has been taken by the Minister so far. He said that he will stage a dharna outside the district administrative complex on May 22 if the Minister did not act upon his promise before May 20.
Sugarcane dues
Pointing out at the ₹ 77 crore dues to be paid by Aland Sugar Factory to sugarcane growers, Mr. B.R. Patil appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to intervene in the matter and ensure that the farmers received the money for the crop they had supplied to the factory.
“The locked-out factory may seek permission to sell sugar stocks in the factory for clearing the dues. The government should not heed any such demands as the factory is known for not keeping its promises,” he said.
To a question, Mr. B.R. Patil said that 12 MLAs, including himself, and seven from the Janata Dal (S), will shortly join the Congress. “We have discussed with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who, in turn, has obtained the green signal from the party high command. The Chief Minister will once again discuss the matter with K.C. Venugopal, Congress in-charge of the State, and finalise the date of our joining,” he said.