'Rs 1,800 cr for irrigation works in Cauvery command area'

 Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered bagina to Kabini reservoir at Beechanahalli in the taluk on Monday.

Unlike last year, the reservoir has reached its full capacity of 2,284 feet in the last week of June owing to copious rainfall in Wayanad region in Kerala. In 2014, the reservoir reached full reservoir level (FRL), which is equal to 19.5 TMC, in the second week of July.

Talking to reporters, the chief minister said, “The State government had set aside Rs 1,800 crore for irrigation works in Cauvery Command Area. All the canals in the area will be modernised in the next two years. Depth of a few canals are being increased and lining of the canals are being developed,” he said.

Project announced

On the proposal to develop 274 acres of land, near the reservoir, on the lines of Brindavan Gardens at KRS, the chief minister said that the project has been announced in the budget and the funds have been set aside for the same.

“A detailed project report has been submitted and the works will be taken up on the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model,” Siddaramaiah said. To a question regarding allegations of sub-standard works taken up in the canals of T Narsipur taluk, Siddaramaiah said that action will be taken against officials concerned if the allegations
are found to be true.

Lokayukta graft issue

Responding to questions on the charges of corruption at Lokayukta office, the chief minister said that the government do not have power to refer the case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Dismissing criticism by the Opposition over the issue, he said that the State government has handed over six cases to CBI during its tenure. Referring to the padayatras of JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and Opposition Leader in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar, the chief minister said that they were politically motivated. They had not taken any action when several illegalities were committed under their nose, he said.