Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna said that a meeting of the Deputy Chief Minister, Irrigation Minister, and legislators of Hassan, Mandya, and Tumakuru districts will be held next week in Bengaluru to discuss allocation of funds for repair work and modernisation of the Hemavathi canals.
Speaking at the Irrigation Advisory Committee meeting here on Friday, Mr. Revanna said the officers concerned should have called for short-term tenders in summer to remove silt and weed grown in the canals through which Hemavathi river water is supplied to the three districts. He took the officials to task for not removing silt and carrying out other repair work of the canals, which was affecting drinking water supply to the districts.
Legislator for Arsikere in Hassan district Shivalingegowda was upset over not getting water in his constituency from the Hemavathi reservoir. He said that Arsikere taluk had not got a single drop of rain and not one tank or lake was filled.
Legislator for Kunigal Assembly constituency in Tumakuru district H.D. Ranganath said the taluk has not got water from the Hemavathi reservoir and the canals are filled with silt. He also alleged that the officers concerned were not available whenever there was important work.
Legislator for Chikkanayakanahalli Assembly constituency J.C. Madhuswamy alleged that some people have put pumps and motors to the tanks and lakes and supplied water directly to their fields.
