'Ministers have no concern for DK'

Bandh call against river diversion project gets overwhelming response: Forum 

Karavali Jeevanadi Netravati Rakshana Samithi leader Vijay Kumar Shetty has said that ministers representating Dakshina Kannada district do not have concern for the people of the district. They have failed to protect the interest of the people of the district, when it comes to Yettinahole project. 

Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, he said that the bandh call given by the samithi on March 3, has received overwhelming response from the various organisations and educational institutions. As per the DPR,  the Yettinahole project envisages to pump about 22 tmc ft of water from Yettinahole, a tributary of River Netravathi. “A sum of Rs 12,900 crore would be spent on the project.

It is a sheer waste of public money. The DPR said that six to eight tmc feet water would be required for Chikkaballapura and Kolar. However, now the project has been changed to supply water to Bangalore, Tumkur and other districts. Even officials from Karnataka Neeravari Nigama has said that the project is impossible to implement,” Shetty added.

The firm which was engaged in preparing DPR has no experience in the field. “The ministers represeneting the district should ensure that foundation for the project is not laid and no injustice is met at the people of the district.”

Flaying Hasha Moily, son of Union Minister Veerappa Moily for supporting Yettinahole project, Shetty said that Moily has no technical knowledge on the project.  

Criticising Law Minister T B Jayachandra for stating that foundation for Yettinahole project will be laid at any cost, leader M G Hegde asked what was he doing as an elected representative when hundreds of lakes in Tumkur, Kolar, Chikkaballapura were encroached illegally for converting it into a commercial complexes. 

“The bandh call is a warning for the elected representatives of the district to come to the rescue of the people. Harsha Moily who was brought up in foreign country has no emotional attachment to the river Netravathi.” 

AICC Secretary P V Mohan said that the police should keep an eye on anti-social elements during bandh. If any untoward incidents take place during bandh, then the district administration and police will be soley responsible for it.

“Chikkaballapura is also observing bandh on Monday. So, for whom the water is being diverted from Yettinahole? If Yettinahole fails, then they will not hesitate to take water from Kumaradhara or other tributaries of Netravathi,” said Dinesh Holla. 

Diocese supports

Mangalore diocese has appealed to the public to maintain peace during the DK bandh called by various organisations in protest against Netravathi river diversion. 

According to a press release, Diocesan PRO Rev Fr William Menezas said that Netravathi is the lifeline of the district. The district already faces acute shortage of water during summer. If an attempt to divert river is made, then it will have a catastrophic effect on the district. Yettinahole or river diversion project is being implemented without taking people into confidence. “We will urge the government to take up rain water harvesting, rejuvenation of streams in Kolara and Chikkaballapura, to irrigate their land. 

Support

The Janatha Dal (Secular) district unit has extended full support to the Dakshina Kannada bandh call given by various organisations on March 3, against the proposed Yettinahole or Netravati diversion project, said Dakshina Kannada JD(S) President M B Sadashiva. 

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Sadashiva strongly condemned the State government’s decision to go ahead with the project, inspite of stiff opposition from the people of the district. 

“At least now the elected representatives should act and save river Netravathi. A scientific study should be conducted on the project.” 

Sene supports bandh 

Sri Rama Sene Dakshina Kannada District Vice President Kumar Malemar accused Union Minister for Petroleum M Veerappa Moily and former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda for taking up Yettinahole project.  “Both are cheating the people of the district. Sri Rama Sene will support the bandh,” he said in a press release. 
KCCI supports

The KCCI, KSIA and DSIA have extended their support to the bandh. In a press release, they said that the government has taken an unilateral decision for laying foundation to the proposed Yettinahole project. “The state government should have consulted experts, and industrial organisations before taking a final call.” 

Various organisations of the district including Kendra Maarukatte Vyaparasthara Sangha, Madilu Mahila Samaja, Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, Adarsh Friends Association Chilimbi, New Friends Kapigudda have criticised the government over river diversion plan and extended full support to the bandh.