Karnataka MPs to meet PM Modi on pending irrigation issues

A meeting attended by Karnataka MPs here on Tuesday decided to take an all-party delegation comprising MPs from the state to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge early clearances for pending state irrigation projects.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar chaired the meeting, which was attended by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from all political parties of the state.

The meeting was convened to discuss pending issues related to interstate water disputes and other irrigation projegs at the Centre including Mekedatu, Mahadayi, and Upper Krishna Project.

In the meeting, it was decided to convene one more meeting before the monsoon session of Parliament, mostly in June. Following that, a delegation of MPs would meet the Prime Minister to apprise him of the state's demands regarding these irrigation projects.

The meeting also resolved that all MPs, cutting across party lines, should fight unitedly for the state's cause in interstate irrigation issues, Shivakumar told mediapersons after the meeting.

“We have in principle agreed to cooperate with each other. In Karnataka, there has been a very good tradition. As far as water, land and language are concerned, we have always been one..." former Chief Minister and Haveri BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai told reporters.

The meeting was also attended by Law Minister H K Patil, Industries Minister M B Patil, state legal advisor on interstate water disputes Mohan Katarki, and officials.