Stand vindicated: BSY

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Yeddyurappa said the verdict had vindicated state government’s stand for raising the height of the Almatti Dam from 519 metres to 524.24 metres. 

“Under A and B schemes the state has been allocated 911 tmc ft of water. The government will do its best to utilise the water,” he said.

Yeddyurappa said the government would earmark funds and even borrow to complete the irrigation projects in the Krishna basin.

He said the State had demanded a share of 278 tmc ft of water in B scheme, but the Tribunal has given 177 tmcft. A plan of action for utilising the surplus water would be chalked out after studying the full text of the award, Yeddyurappa added.
Opposition parties, the Congress and the JD(S), too have welcomed the award.
“The state government should earmark at least 30 per cent of the total budget in the coming year for irrigation projects and implement all the projects without any delay,” KPCC President G Parameshwara stated.

JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy said though the award is satisfactory, the State should have got more water. But compared to the Cauvery Tribunal award, this one is favourable to the State. The JD(S) will soon bring out a booklet on how various Governments in the past had strived to get this award, he added.

BJP leader and MP Ananth Kumar said the award has come as a boon to farmers in North Karnataka region.By using the additional water awarded by the Tribunal, large extent of agriculture land can be irrigated, besides providing drinking water supply, he added.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister Suresh Kumar has welcomed the award and called it a New Year gift for the farmers. “The preliminary details of the judgement suggest that Karnataka has a reason to cheer. Our demand before the Tribunal to allow an increase in the height of the Almatti Dam to 524.256 metres has been fulfilled,” he stated.