<p>Chikkaballapur: In response to Minister M C Sudhakar’s statements that water from the H N Valley and K C Valley projects can be made potable if subjected to three-stage purification, leaders of the Shaswatha Neeravari Horata Samithi have challenged the minister and officials to drink the water that has undergone all three stages of treatment to prove it is potable.</p><p>“The minister argues that two-stage purification is sufficient for refilling the tanks. We will not insist on three-stage treatment if he proves the water becomes fit for drinking in the three-stage treatment,” they said.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference in Chikkaballapur on Friday, Committee President R Anjaneya Reddy pointed out that in places like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh in Bengaluru, treated sewage water is being used for horticultural purposes after three-stage purification. Similarly, the Yelahanka treatment facility supplies purified water to Kempegowda International Airport for use in toilets and landscaping. </p><p>“If the same treated water from these valley projects is used in the homes of Sudhakar and other government officials, we will accept that it is safe for refilling our tanks with the two-stage purified water,” Reddy added.</p><p><strong>Lack of transparency in Yettinahole project</strong></p><p>Reddy further criticised the government for lacking transparency regarding the Yettinahole project. “The government has spoken about the expenditure and project progress, but not about actual water availability. Scientific studies and institutions state that only 8 tmcft of water is available, yet the government continues to falsely claim it is 24 tmcft,” he alleged.</p><p>He said that the committee’s demand to release treated water into lakes only after three-stage purification had been rejected by the government. “All that remains now is to raise public awareness,” he said.</p><p>Reddy accused the state government of neglecting permanent irrigation solutions for drought-prone districts like Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru Rural. “Cabinet decisions reflect this continued apathy. The chief minister says water will be provided from the nearly dry Yettinahole — it’s an unrealistic promise,” he said.</p><p>He noted that while guidelines exist for the use of treated wastewater, they are being flouted. “The Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal have written to the state government about these violations,” he added.</p><p><strong>Lost trust</strong></p><p>Responding to the chief minister’s comment that “farmers didn’t ask for third-stage purification,” Reddy expressed outrage and called the statement dismissive. He also accused the district in-charge minister of speaking in bad faith.</p><p>“We had immense trust in M C Sudhakar, especially since he once joined us in our struggle. But now he’s calling our movement politically motivated — that’s misinformation and slander,” Reddy said.</p><p>Criticising the government’s promotion of check dams as a groundwater solution, he argued: “There are over 5,400 lakes and thousands of kilometers of canals in these three districts. Yet, the government has done nothing to rejuvenate them. The government is more focused on preparing for the next election than addressing water issues.”</p><p><strong>Invitation for open dialogue</strong></p><p>“Ministers M C Sudhakar, K H Muniyappa, and Krishna Byre Gowda should engage in an open dialogue with us on the irrigation issue. We are ready to go to any location and at any time they suggest to hold discussions,” said Anjaneya Reddy.</p><p>Several farmer leaders, irrigation activists, and members of Kannada advocacy groups were present at the press conference.</p>
<p>Chikkaballapur: In response to Minister M C Sudhakar’s statements that water from the H N Valley and K C Valley projects can be made potable if subjected to three-stage purification, leaders of the Shaswatha Neeravari Horata Samithi have challenged the minister and officials to drink the water that has undergone all three stages of treatment to prove it is potable.</p><p>“The minister argues that two-stage purification is sufficient for refilling the tanks. We will not insist on three-stage treatment if he proves the water becomes fit for drinking in the three-stage treatment,” they said.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference in Chikkaballapur on Friday, Committee President R Anjaneya Reddy pointed out that in places like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh in Bengaluru, treated sewage water is being used for horticultural purposes after three-stage purification. Similarly, the Yelahanka treatment facility supplies purified water to Kempegowda International Airport for use in toilets and landscaping. </p><p>“If the same treated water from these valley projects is used in the homes of Sudhakar and other government officials, we will accept that it is safe for refilling our tanks with the two-stage purified water,” Reddy added.</p><p><strong>Lack of transparency in Yettinahole project</strong></p><p>Reddy further criticised the government for lacking transparency regarding the Yettinahole project. “The government has spoken about the expenditure and project progress, but not about actual water availability. Scientific studies and institutions state that only 8 tmcft of water is available, yet the government continues to falsely claim it is 24 tmcft,” he alleged.</p><p>He said that the committee’s demand to release treated water into lakes only after three-stage purification had been rejected by the government. “All that remains now is to raise public awareness,” he said.</p><p>Reddy accused the state government of neglecting permanent irrigation solutions for drought-prone districts like Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru Rural. “Cabinet decisions reflect this continued apathy. The chief minister says water will be provided from the nearly dry Yettinahole — it’s an unrealistic promise,” he said.</p><p>He noted that while guidelines exist for the use of treated wastewater, they are being flouted. “The Pollution Control Board and the National Green Tribunal have written to the state government about these violations,” he added.</p><p><strong>Lost trust</strong></p><p>Responding to the chief minister’s comment that “farmers didn’t ask for third-stage purification,” Reddy expressed outrage and called the statement dismissive. He also accused the district in-charge minister of speaking in bad faith.</p><p>“We had immense trust in M C Sudhakar, especially since he once joined us in our struggle. But now he’s calling our movement politically motivated — that’s misinformation and slander,” Reddy said.</p><p>Criticising the government’s promotion of check dams as a groundwater solution, he argued: “There are over 5,400 lakes and thousands of kilometers of canals in these three districts. Yet, the government has done nothing to rejuvenate them. The government is more focused on preparing for the next election than addressing water issues.”</p><p><strong>Invitation for open dialogue</strong></p><p>“Ministers M C Sudhakar, K H Muniyappa, and Krishna Byre Gowda should engage in an open dialogue with us on the irrigation issue. We are ready to go to any location and at any time they suggest to hold discussions,” said Anjaneya Reddy.</p><p>Several farmer leaders, irrigation activists, and members of Kannada advocacy groups were present at the press conference.</p>
