<p>Mandya: Former secretary for irrigation for Karnataka government, and water expert Capt S Raja Rao urged the government to constitute an Irrigation Commission to chalk out a plan for the proper use and conservation of water.</p><p>He was speaking in a session on 'Nela-Jala Saksharathe: Avalokana' (An analysis of awareness on land and water) on Rajamathe Kempananjammanni and Rajarshi Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Stage, held as part of the three-day 87th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) and Mandya District Administration, in Mandya, on Saturday.</p><p>Pointing out that there have been many commissions for various issues, Capt Rao said, there has been no Irrigation Commission in Karnataka so far, since over seven decades after the formation of the responsible government.</p>.Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah meets PM Modi, seeks urgent clearances for two irrigation projects.<p><strong>'Need more awareness among politicians'</strong></p><p>Stating that more awareness is needed among politicians and thus the irrigation sector is neglected, he said, “Irrigation Commissions should be formed with experts, periodically, to study the problems and situations and to chalk out plans for a stipulated time period”.</p><p>Capt Rao said, the government initiative of filling the lakes with river water is well received, but when more water bodies become part of the initiative and when availability of water reduces in rivers, there may be new water disputes. “At a time when we have already suffered injustice in inter-state water disputes, this initiative may lead to internal disputes,” he said.</p><p>“In conserving and judiciously using water, farmers cooperation is needed, besides government’s efforts. The irrigation levy has not been revised over the last couple of decades. The farmers should be ready to pay more levy, for developing irrigation infrastructure,” he said.</p><p>“West flowing rivers will help Karnataka a lot to tackle the water problems. Thus, the government should concentrate on this front,” he said.</p><p><strong>Protect KRS Dam</strong></p><p>Capt S Raja Rao said that the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam should be protected, as it is vital for the people of the old Mysuru region.</p><p>“The KRS Dam is over one century old. Thus, steps should be taken to strengthen and conserve it for the future generations,” he said.</p>
<p>Mandya: Former secretary for irrigation for Karnataka government, and water expert Capt S Raja Rao urged the government to constitute an Irrigation Commission to chalk out a plan for the proper use and conservation of water.</p><p>He was speaking in a session on 'Nela-Jala Saksharathe: Avalokana' (An analysis of awareness on land and water) on Rajamathe Kempananjammanni and Rajarshi Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Stage, held as part of the three-day 87th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) and Mandya District Administration, in Mandya, on Saturday.</p><p>Pointing out that there have been many commissions for various issues, Capt Rao said, there has been no Irrigation Commission in Karnataka so far, since over seven decades after the formation of the responsible government.</p>.Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah meets PM Modi, seeks urgent clearances for two irrigation projects.<p><strong>'Need more awareness among politicians'</strong></p><p>Stating that more awareness is needed among politicians and thus the irrigation sector is neglected, he said, “Irrigation Commissions should be formed with experts, periodically, to study the problems and situations and to chalk out plans for a stipulated time period”.</p><p>Capt Rao said, the government initiative of filling the lakes with river water is well received, but when more water bodies become part of the initiative and when availability of water reduces in rivers, there may be new water disputes. “At a time when we have already suffered injustice in inter-state water disputes, this initiative may lead to internal disputes,” he said.</p><p>“In conserving and judiciously using water, farmers cooperation is needed, besides government’s efforts. The irrigation levy has not been revised over the last couple of decades. The farmers should be ready to pay more levy, for developing irrigation infrastructure,” he said.</p><p>“West flowing rivers will help Karnataka a lot to tackle the water problems. Thus, the government should concentrate on this front,” he said.</p><p><strong>Protect KRS Dam</strong></p><p>Capt S Raja Rao said that the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam should be protected, as it is vital for the people of the old Mysuru region.</p><p>“The KRS Dam is over one century old. Thus, steps should be taken to strengthen and conserve it for the future generations,” he said.</p>