TEAM HERALD
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BELGAUM: Farmers in Ramdurg taluka of Belgaum district have urged the Karnataka government to complete the ongoing work on the Kalsa-Bhadura water diversion project. The seer of Somshekhar mutt at Munvalli village Murugendra Swamiji has also urged Karnataka authorities to take up the matter on priority and to implement the project.
Farmers have also urged authorities not to construct any wall on the ongoing work site as per the Mahadeyi Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) directions.
Speaking at a meeting of leaders and farmers from Ramdurg taluks, Murgendra Swamiji urged the Karnataka government to exhibit a strong will power and to find ways and means to implement the project which is required to quench thirst of people of the region and also for irrigation purpose.
Shivanand Meti of Kalsa Bhandura Sangharsha Samiti condemned Karnataka government’s lackluster approach in presenting its case before the MWDT.
“After about 14 years of efforts, the project was in its final stages and about 1.5 TMC water was expected to be diverted in June 2014. However, farmers in north Karnataka are shocked and lost hopes due to the April 17 directions of the MWDT. The tribunal has directed Karnataka not to divert even a single drop of water to Malaprabha and to construct a wall to stop inflow of water in the canal constructed,” Meti said.
Meti also urged authorities to commence work on diverting Chorla and Haltar rivulets to Malaprabha and said that farmers in north Karnataka have decided to set aside any political difference and intensify their agitation for the implementation of the project, for which a farmers rally has been organized on May 11.
