<p> Farmers in Kadur taluk will celebrate the 70th Independence Day on August 15 in a different manner by taking out a padayatra with a slogan ‘Swatantrya Nadige Raithara Hakkina Kadege’ (Freedom walk towards farmers’ rights).<br /><br /></p>.<p>MLA Y S V Datta told media on Monday here that the padayatra has been planned to celebrate the recent decision of the government to divert water to 32 lakes in Kadur taluk alone under the revised Upper Bhadra Project at an estimated cost of Rs 12.360 crore. <br /><br />The beneficiary farmers from the lake areas will take part in the padayatra that will be flagged off from Anegere village and will culminate at K Bidare, where Independence Day will be celebrated in a meaningful manner with the convention of farmers.<br /><br />Explaining about the project that was long in the making, Datta said, “According to Paramashivaiah report, the project was conceptualised to address the demands of those arid areas in Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Kolar districts that lacked water sources, especially river. However, there were differences of opinion in the later days. An effort was made again when the then chief minister H D Kumaraswamy was heading Janata Dal (Secular) and BJP coalition government. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of K C Reddy and subsequently, technical approval was given for the first phase of the project. The project got impetus again when B S Yeddyurappa who succeeded Kumaraswamy, announced a grant of Rs 3 crore for initiating tender process. <br /><br />Datta said, ironically, for four years (2008 to 2012), no elected representative was bothered to raise his voice against the project that was unscientific. Datta further said he not only raised the issue, but also lodged a complaint against the then chief minister that the latter has received kickback in the same. <br /><br />Following this, a First Information Report (FIR) was also lodged against the chief minister.<br />A delegation of farmers was taken to then chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda (who succeeded Yeddyurappa) and Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai urging them for a revised plan and resurvey of the areas. Till then, the first phase of the survey had been completed. However, a re-survey was ordered later, that led to a revised plan. As a result, the upper Bhadra project that was earlier restricted for three lakes connecting Chitradurga canal was extended to canals in Tumakuru from where 29 lakes in Kadur taluk will receive water. <br /><br />The people of this region should be indebted to Sadananda Gowda and Basavaraj Bommai, said Datta.<br /><br />Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the chairman of Water Resources Authority, has set aside a dedicated amount of Rs 12.360 crore for the purpose. It is nothing but a personal satisfaction for bringing water to lakes after being elected as a legislator from Kadur, claimed Datta.<br /><br />Datta who was open for debate on the implementation of the project, said it will benefit 55,000 acres of land. The documents related towards the planning and implementation of the project are already made public.</p>
<p> Farmers in Kadur taluk will celebrate the 70th Independence Day on August 15 in a different manner by taking out a padayatra with a slogan ‘Swatantrya Nadige Raithara Hakkina Kadege’ (Freedom walk towards farmers’ rights).<br /><br /></p>.<p>MLA Y S V Datta told media on Monday here that the padayatra has been planned to celebrate the recent decision of the government to divert water to 32 lakes in Kadur taluk alone under the revised Upper Bhadra Project at an estimated cost of Rs 12.360 crore. <br /><br />The beneficiary farmers from the lake areas will take part in the padayatra that will be flagged off from Anegere village and will culminate at K Bidare, where Independence Day will be celebrated in a meaningful manner with the convention of farmers.<br /><br />Explaining about the project that was long in the making, Datta said, “According to Paramashivaiah report, the project was conceptualised to address the demands of those arid areas in Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Kolar districts that lacked water sources, especially river. However, there were differences of opinion in the later days. An effort was made again when the then chief minister H D Kumaraswamy was heading Janata Dal (Secular) and BJP coalition government. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of K C Reddy and subsequently, technical approval was given for the first phase of the project. The project got impetus again when B S Yeddyurappa who succeeded Kumaraswamy, announced a grant of Rs 3 crore for initiating tender process. <br /><br />Datta said, ironically, for four years (2008 to 2012), no elected representative was bothered to raise his voice against the project that was unscientific. Datta further said he not only raised the issue, but also lodged a complaint against the then chief minister that the latter has received kickback in the same. <br /><br />Following this, a First Information Report (FIR) was also lodged against the chief minister.<br />A delegation of farmers was taken to then chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda (who succeeded Yeddyurappa) and Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai urging them for a revised plan and resurvey of the areas. Till then, the first phase of the survey had been completed. However, a re-survey was ordered later, that led to a revised plan. As a result, the upper Bhadra project that was earlier restricted for three lakes connecting Chitradurga canal was extended to canals in Tumakuru from where 29 lakes in Kadur taluk will receive water. <br /><br />The people of this region should be indebted to Sadananda Gowda and Basavaraj Bommai, said Datta.<br /><br />Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the chairman of Water Resources Authority, has set aside a dedicated amount of Rs 12.360 crore for the purpose. It is nothing but a personal satisfaction for bringing water to lakes after being elected as a legislator from Kadur, claimed Datta.<br /><br />Datta who was open for debate on the implementation of the project, said it will benefit 55,000 acres of land. The documents related towards the planning and implementation of the project are already made public.</p>
