Struggle for irrigation gains steam

Postcard campaign launched in Kolar, huge public rally in Srinivaspur

As many as 20,000 postcards addressed to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa seeking permanent irrigation project in Kolar.

Irrigation expert Paramashivaiah launched the postcard campaign in front of the Head Post Office. The postcards were taken in a procession from Mekke circle up to the post office. The organisers expressed displeasure that Gram Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat members have not participated in the campaign, though informed earlier.Permanent Irrigation Action Committee member Tyagaraj, councillors Ravindra Kumar, Shafiulla former councillor Babajan and others were present.

Public rally
A massive public rally was held in Srinivaspur  to put pressure on the government for implementing a permanent irrigation scheme.

Inaugurating the public meeting, Pattanayakanahalli seer Nanjavadhoota Swamiji said that the state government has earmarked comparatively less funds for irrigation.
The state government has been meting out a raw deal to Kolar and Chikkaballapur in supplying drinking water for the parched districts. “An directive from the Supreme Court allows supplying drinking water from any source to any destination. The government has not been providing opportunity to discuss the report submitted by Dr Paramashivaiah,” the seer noted.

Emphasising on the need to sustain the tempo of the struggle, the seer said that struggle should not be withdrawn at any cost till the demand is met. People of the districts have a right to water and the government should be questioned on its reluctance to address a basic issue. Nethravati diversion project should be the ultimate goal, the seer postulated and promised support and resources required for the struggle.

Contaminated water
Member of Legislative Council Y A Narayanaswamy said people of Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts have been consuming contaminated water and were becoming vulnerable to several diseases.

The only solution is to feed the tanks in the districts with river water. The struggle for permanent irrigation project will be extended to other taluks as well. “It has been planned to take out a padayatra of 50,000 people and lay siege to Vidhana Soudha in July,” he disclosed.

Former minister K M Krishna Reddy condemned the spanner thrown in by some environmentalists and religious heads for the proposed project to supply water from Nethravathi river. He said that elections should be boycotted to prevail upon the government.|

Legislator G K Venkatashiva Reddy said that all the elected representatives of both the districts will bring pressure on the government to implement a permanent irrigation project. The region would become a desert if the tanks are not fed with river water, he apprehended and called upon people to sustain the struggle.

Irrigation expert Dr Paramashivaiah spoke at length on his report.Earlier, hundreds of people took out a march from Government Girl’s First Grade College ground. Women carried empty pots braving scorching sun. Kolar-Chikkaballapur Milk Union Limited distributed butter milk packets to all the people who took part in the march. BJP leader B V Shivareddy had arranged food.

Adichunchanagiri branch mutt seer Siddeshwaranatha Swamiji, irrigation expert Chowdappa of Gauribidanur, former legislator Nagaraju and others were present. A team of  Hunja Munireddy presented ‘green songs’ on the occasion.