Activists to government: Why silent on Mahadayi row

Elected representatives have remained mute spectators with the controversy failing to garner the attention of the government though various agitations including bandhs and road blockage are going on since the last 20 days in all towns in the region.

Enraged over the step-motherly treatment meted out to the region, people are observing a 3-day total bandh in Nargund from Sunday as the historic town witnessed an upsurge of farmers in 1980. The movement for early implementation of Kalasa-Banduri Nala project to draw water from Mahadayi river has gained momentum with various seers actively taking part in it. Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had given an assurance during his visit to the region, the lack of pro-active measures has left the agitators fuming.

Now, JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy will take out a padayatra from the house of a farmer in Kundagol taluk to Dharwad on August 12. Meanwhile, the agitators have demanded that a separate delegation should be taken to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his intervention to resolve the water dispute with Goa. “State government should act swiftly to get its share of Mahadayi water as farmers are ending their lives due to recurring drought conditions.

Focus should be on waiving farmer loans and the interest due to stop rising suicide cases. Mahadayi water is also significant like the Mekedatu project for the State. The situation may get worse leading to another farmers’ rebellion similar to the one that took many lives in Nargund more than three decades ago,” Hubballi Murusavir Math seer Gurusidda Rajayogindra Swamiji said after taking out a padayatra in the city.

State BJP president and MP Pralhad Joshi said that delegation of party MPs will meet the Union water resources minister to apprise him about the need for Mahadayi water to the region. He also urged the state government to submit a fresh petition before the tribunal seeking an interim solution to the water dispute.