Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Mallabhadi scheme, a tricky issue for Dharam Singh

By T.V. Sivanandan

GULBARGA, FEB. 5. The controversy surrounding the decision of the State Government to execute the Mallabhadi Lift Irrigation Scheme to irrigate areas in Jewargi, Shahapur, and Surpur taluks in Gulbarga district under Scheme A of the Bachawat Award has placed the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, in an unenviable position. He is being accused of favouritism towards his home district.

Major beneficiary

The indefinite stir launched by the Bijapur Samagra Neeravari Horata Samiti demanding the restoration of the original allocation of water to the Mulwad and Chimmalgi lift irrigation schemes and accusing the Government of transferring 25 tmcft of water to Mallabhadi scheme from projects designed for Bijapur has become a knotty issue for Mr. Dharam Singh.

Incidentally, the major beneficiary of the Mallabhadi scheme will be Jewargi taluk, which is the Chief Minister's constituency.

Although the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader Kedarlingaiah Hiremath claimed that only 8 tmcft is required for the scheme, no one knows from where the water has been allocated.

The allocation of water for each project is made based on the irrigation potential and any reduction of the water share will result in the reduction of the command area.

This has not happened in either Narayanpur Left Bank Canal, Jewargi, or Mudbol.

Mr. Dharam Singh was instrumental in including the Mallabhadi scheme, which was originally in Scheme B, in Scheme A of the Bachawat Award and sanctioning Rs. 5 lakhs last year for the technical survey and preparing the line estimates.

Once the Mallabhadi scheme is executed, more than 95 per cent of Jewargi taluk will be under the irrigation network of the Upper Krishna Project.

`Retract allegations'

According to Mr. Hiremath, who is the president of Jewargi Taluk Raita Horata Samiti, of the 5 lakh acres of agricultural land, 4 lakh acres come under the command area of the Upper Krishna Project, and 84,000 acres will be irrigated under the Mallabhadi scheme.

Mr. Hiremath, who spearheaded an agitation to force the Government to include the Mallabhadi project in Scheme A, said that this will help farmers in 46 villages of Jewargi, 12 villages in Shahapur and Surpur get irrigation facilities.

Accusing the Bijapur Lok Sabha member, Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal, of misleading the public on the diversion of water meant for Bijapur to Jewargi, he said that the former should withdraw the allegation levelled against Mr. Dharam Singh.

He said that if Mr. Yatnal does not retract his allegations, the samiti will burn his effigy in Jewargi taluk on Monday.

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