Bengaluru: Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy has accused the Centre of failing to extend cooperation for key drinking water projects, including Mekedatu and Mahadayi, alleging that political considerations were delaying their implementation.
Speaking at the launch of The Evergreen Cauvery Conflict, authored by M K Venkataramu, at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru, the minister expressed displeasure over the Centre’s approach towards Karnataka’s water-related demands.
He alleged that despite the Supreme Court’s position on objections to drinking water projects, the Centre had not granted the necessary forest clearance for the Mahadayi project, citing pressure from Goa.
Chaluvarayaswamy said the state government had submitted several representations to Union ministers seeking approval for the project, but the required permissions were still pending.
He urged the Centre to expedite the clearance process, keeping in mind the drinking water requirements of Karnataka’s population.
“The Centre should at least pay attention to the drinking water needs of the state,” he said, appealing to the Union government to respond positively to Karnataka’s demands.
The book launch and felicitation programme was organised by the Cauvery River Protection Committee, Kuvempu Vishwamanava Kshemabhivruddhi Trust and Vismaya Book House.
