'Opposition objects supply of water to Nagarajuna plant'

Dharna forced adjournment of meeting for 40 minutes

The objection was recorded by the council during the MCC’s general meeting held here on Monday. The discussion on the issue witnessed dharna and chaos in the House, due to which the House was adjourned for about 40 minutes.

Initiating the issue in the meeting, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde said the Corporation’s decision to provide 3.5 mgd water to Nagarjuna has sidelined the Corporation’s commitment to provide sufficient drinking water to its citizens.

Justifying the MCC’s stand, Mayor M Shanker Bhat said providing sufficient water to its citizens has always been the Corporation’s priority, and it supplies water to industrial establishments only after fulfiling the domestic requirements.

“The city needs 30 mgd water for its domestic consumption. The existing pipeline from Thumbe supplies 18 mgd water, while the new ADB-funded pipeline will be supplying 20 mgd water. There are plans to get 6 to 7 mgd water from Lakya dam. In the meantime, the Corporation is saving about 8 mgd water by disconnecting illegal water connections,” he explained, clarifying that supplying 3.5 mgd water to Nagarjuna would not affect the public.

Discussion diverted

In the meantime, Opposition leader Harinath diverted the discussions by urging that engineers from Infrastructure Development Corporation of Karnataka (IDECK) should be appointed to look into the concreting of roads in the city in the place of engineer Dharmaraj.

He alleged that Dharmaraj is “acting like a dictator” and is not taking corporators into confidence. Enraged by Harinath’s allegations, Mayor Shanker Bhat hit back at the Opposition by openly alleging that they are criticising the present engineer since they (Opposition members) are not getting any “share” in the business.

He challenged them to come for open debate regarding the projects taken up during their (Congress) term in the MCC under the supervision fo Dharmaraj.

At this juncture, the Opposition members rushed to the well of the House and started a dharna. They raised slogans against the ruling party, while Harinath added to the chaos by beating a gong (jaagate). However, they insisted on stopping the water supply even while  they continued the dharna. The House was adjourned for about 40 minutes.

The House reassembled at 3.40 pm. Within the next 10 minutes, the meeting was over with Chief Whip Ganesh Hosabettu reading out the agenda. Deputy Mayor Rajani Dugganna, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MCC Commissioner Vijayprakash were present.