'Act fast to implement UKP-III'

Speaking on the irrigation facilities in the Krishna river basin area in the Assembly, he said the project should be completed in five years in the interest of farmers. The Krishna River Water Disputes Tribunal gave its award on ‘Scheme B’ almost a year ago.

But the State has not initiated any steps to utilise its share of water yet, he said.

The State Water Resources Department has estimated that UKP III will cost about Rs 17,000 crore and will require nearly seven years for implementation. The project has already been approved by the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama.

Siddaramaiah demanded that the government should earmark at least 25 per cent of the total plan size for irrigation purposes. The Congress party will do it, if it is voted to power in the next elections, he said.

Congress MLA M B Patil said injustice had been meted out to the State by the Tribunal.

Karnataka has not got bulk water under ‘Scheme B,’ which Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have got. The Tribunal has put restrictions on using Krishna water for drinking and industrial purposes. Hence, the government should take all necessary steps to provide justice to the State’s farmers, he said.

He warned that if the government failed to implement UKP III, people of North Karnataka would take up a Telangana-like agitation, demanding a separate statehood.