JOIN USA Dharwad-resident has approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Union government to consider his representation to ensure implementation of Kalasa-Banduri project in Karnataka, meant to meet drinking water needs for four districts in the northern part of Karnataka.
Veeresh Chandrashekarayya Sobradmath, who calls himself state president of Rait Sena, contended that the drinking water is the highest priority as per the National Water Policy, 2002. After in-principle clearance for the drinking water project by the Union Government, some works were undertaken for diverting of some water from Mahadayi to Malaprabha to reach the parched areas. He, however, contended the demand for a basic right of water for drinking and irrigation in a drought prone region was being held up due to political wrangle and delay in courts.
Hundreds of farmers from the four districts of Karnataka - Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot and Gadag - held a protest rally on April 30 here and submitted a memorandum to the President.
In a writ petition, Sobradmath further submitted after a letter for amicable settlement by Goa chief minister, the main opposition state before the Mahadayi Water disputes Tribunal, there should be no further hearing with regard to drinking water and the tribunal should concentrate only on the irrigation needs.