Karnataka CM to seek PM’s help on Kalasa-Banduri
Belagavi: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that an all-party delegation from the state headed by him will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly demanding his intervention to resolve the Mahadayi and Kalasa-Banduri project row in the larger interests of Karnataka.
“Besides asking the PM to intervene in finding a solution to the Mahadayi issue, the delegation will urge the PM to help resolve the severe crisis which farmers especially cane growers are facing,” said Siddaramaiah.
Speaking to mediapersons after visiting the family of farmer Gurunath Chapgavi who recently committed suicide unable to repay the loans he availed, the CM said, he wrote a letter to the PM on July 27 seeking his appointment but had not got any response so far.
“Farmers are exerting pressure on the state government to take a delegation to the PM seeking his intervention, particularly to implement Kalasa-Banduri project. In response to their demand, I have decided to take a delegation to the PM. Once we get the PM's appointment, the delegation will leave for New Delhi,” he added.
Commenting on the continuing suicides of farmers, Mr Siddaramaiah said his government has taken the issue very seriously and appealed to farmers not to take the extreme step as the government is coming up with several schemes for their welfare. Through the respective district officials, the government is trying to instill confidence in farmers to prevent them from committing suicide, he said.
The CM met the family of farmer Gurunath Chapgavi at Badal Ankalgi village, near Belagavi and extended his support to the bereaved family. The farmer’s family told the CM that Chapgavi was never harassed by money-lenders even though he availed Rs 6 lakh loans from various bank and money-lenders.
Meanwhile, in the wake of widespread agitations by farmer groups and other organisations for immediate implementation of the Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project, the state government is dispatching water resources minister M.B. Patil to seek an early appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
