CM plans meet to clear confusion on Yetthinahole project

Stating that there were misconceptions surrounding the proposed Yetthinahole diversion project, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah said he would convene a meeting of the elected representatives and officials soon, to sort out the fear. “I will hold a discussion before implementing the project,” he said.

He was speaking during his maiden visit to the district after assuming charge as the Chief Minister, on Sunday. Charing a meeting convened to review various development works of Dakshina Kannada district at the deputy commissioner’s office, the CM assured that the project would not harm the people of the district. Utilising the opportunity to raise their voice against the project, the elected representatives of Dakshina Kannada including the MLAs and MP, told the Chief Minister that the diversion project would cause water shortage in the district after December.

Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo said that there was need to carry out an environment impact study before implementing the project, for the project is likely to affect the forest, bio-diversity and fish breeding. While MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that with Netravati being the only source of drinking water to the people of Dakshina Kannada and the district is already facing water shortage during summer, diverting the Netravati’s tributary would decrease the flow of river water. District-in-Charge Minister Ramanath Rai and other MLAs too backed the argument.

Stand tough on communal forces

Affirming that the government would not tolerate communal elements, the Chief Minister said he has directed the police department to take stringent action against the communal forces who attempt to damage the communal harmony in the society, irrespective of the political party which they belong to. He was reacting to the issue raised by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel who said the district has been witnessing several incidents of cattle theft of late. “The government has withdrawn the amendments introduced by the previous government to the Act that prevents the illegal cattle slaughtering. I have directed the police to take strict action against the offenders under the Cattle Act of 1964,” he said.

Fruit-rot disease

Siddharamaiah assured of extending support to the areca farmers who have incurred loss due to fruit-rot disease. The State government has already released Rs 30 crore compensation amount to be distributed to the areca farmers and additional Rs 40 crore will be released. A compensation of Rs 1,200 per acre land will be given to the areca farmers affected with fruit-rot disease, as per the Central government norms. According to the official figures, the district has incurred a loss of Rs 232 crore due to fruit-rot disease. The State government has produced the facts and figures before the union agriculture minister and has requested to release the compensation package, he said.

Briefing the rain damage estimation, Deputy Commissioner N Prakash said that the district has incurred a loss of Rs 61.39 crore due to damage of public property and the government has so far released Rs 9.10 crore.

To plan and take up development works in the Maoists affected areas, the Chief Minister directed District-in-Charge Secretary Bharat Lal Meena to head the committee which was earlier chaired by the deputy commissioner.