Knowledge panel to submit comprehensive water policy soon

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said that his government would incorporate key recommendations of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission in the next budget.

Commission chairman K Kasturirangan, vice chair S V Ranganath and member secretary Mukund Rao met Kumaraswamy and briefed him about the ongoing work.

The Commission has so far submitted 16 policy and technical recommendations to the government, out of which 12 have been accepted.

Kasturirangan, who gave a powerpoint presentation, impressed upon the chief minister to introduce institutional reforms for effective water conservation.

Later speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said that the delegation had held discussions about the kind of policies to be evolved, especially towards bringing about reforms in water conservation, public health and education. The Commission also sought for effective implementation of Central government schemes, he said.

Addressing the media, Kasturirangan said that the Commission was drafting a comprehensive Karnataka Water Policy, which would soon be submitted to the government. “The chief minister has said that there is an urgency in introducing the water policy. We will try and formulate the policy at the earliest. This will benefit the farmers and other communities,” he added.

The space scientist said that the Commission had developed several programmes and ideas for the last few years with over 30 experts in various fields including agriculture, environment, medical sciences, research and development. The key focus areas had been education, health, IT-BT, arts and culture and skill development, he said, adding that Kumaraswamy had promised budgetary allocation for each of these sectors. He also said that the Commission had requested Kumaraswamy to inaugurate Cauvery gallery in Mysuru and the Madiwala lake biodiversity park in Bengaluru.

Stating that both projects were unique in nature, Kasturirangan stressed on the need for revival and rejuvenation of lakes and water sources.

The scientist said that the idea for the Cauvery gallery came from the National Academy of Sciences and National Council of Science Museum. The gallery traces the history, tradition, heritage and the present condition of the river, he added.