MP terms social impact study of Yettinahole project useless

Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel said, the State government’s move to conduct a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study on Yettinahole project will be of no use.

The SIA study will be conducted by the Revenue department which will not yield any result for the people of the district who have been demanding environment impact assessment study.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of protest against load shedding in front of Mescom, here on Tuesday, he said “I had demanded the government and Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd to stop the ongoing work at the Yettinahole project site, till the doubts are cleared. The nod to conduct Social Impact Assessment study is an eye wash and an attempt to divert the attention of activists who have been protesting against the Yettinahole project.”

Supporting the demand of Congress leader and former Union Minister Janardhan Poojary on CID probe into the tender process on Yettinahole, the MP said if there was any illegality in the project, then it should be probed either by CID or CBI. All those who were responsible for looting the money in the name of the project should be booked.

The government has been implementing Yettinahole project in a hurried manner without taking into account the sentiments of people of the Dakshina Kannada district. “Let the seven elected representatives (MLAs) from Congress from Dakshina Kannada unite against the Yettinahole project. We will extend our support to them,” Kateel said.

“The previous BJP government had only given approval to conduct a survey on Yettinahole. It was the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah who initiated the project. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is driven by political calculations. The Chief Minister is inside a ‘Chakravyuha’ which he is not able to fight. To come out of ‘Chakravyuha,’ he needs to have the blessings of the people of the State. The CM should try to wipe the tears in the eyes of the people of the State,” Kateel added.

Stating that the State’s administrative machinary has collapsed, Kateel said, We do not know whether the government is surviving on oxygen or in ICU. On the one hand, people are demanding Kalasa-Banduri. On the other, the people of South Karnataka are against Yettinahole. However, the government has failed to find a solution to the problems.

Scientific study
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said, It would be better if political leaders, experts and organisations from parched districts and coastal districts make a scientific study on usage of Netravati River water. I believe in giving first priority for the people of the district.

“Lot of discussions are held on the use of Netravathi water. I had said during Vishwa Tulu Sammelan in 2009 that the issue calls for an indepth study. There is lack of information and there is a need to conduct a scientific study on the project. I welcome the consultative meeting held in the presence of district in-charge minister, elected representatives and deputy commissioner. Such discussions will bring out useful information which would help the government to take a final call. I had paid a visit to Chikkaballapur and Doddaballapur recently. The people sought my help. It will be better if the government takes a decision after studying the pros and cons of the project,” he added.