Though the State government has allocated funds for the Irrigation Department, it has not mentioned the amount for the Upper Bhadra Project. Such attitude of the government showed the negligent attitude of the State government in protecting the interests of the farmers and the common man in the region, Bayaluseeme Neeravari Horata Samiti president Lakshman Hugar has said.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, he stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised that Rs. 1,000 crore would be set aside to complete the project. But he has failed to mention the same in the recently presented budget.
The total cost of the project is about Rs. 12,340 crore and since work began in 2007-08, the government has released Rs. 1,093 crore.
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As per the promise of the government, the project should be completed in another two years by spending Rs. 11,000 crore. “The government has no specific plans to complete the project in stipulated time to help people and farmers of the region,” he alleged.
Mr. Hugar also informed that a delegation of the Samiti members would be taken to the Chief Minister, the Irrigation Minister and other concerned ministers to clarify their stand on the early completion of the project.
Mr. Hugar alleged that the State government had not written to the Centre and the same has been confirmed by the Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises G.M. Siddeshwar.
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Total estimate for the project is about Rs. 12,340 crore