Karnataka - Bijapur   

Tank-filling project: stir for starting work continues

Staff Correspondent

It has been pending since November 2004

BIJAPUR: The agitation launched seeking implementation of the Rs. 202-crore tank-filling project continued in all taluk headquarters even as the issue was raised in the Belgaum session on Tuesday.

An indefinite hunger strike, which was launched at Horthi hobli in Indi taluk under the banner of Bijapur Zilla Kere Neeru Thumbuva Yojane Horata Samiti, entered the 17th day on Tuesday.

The project, which aims at filling 97 minor irrigation tanks by pumping water from the Krishna and the Bhima, has been pending since November 2004.

According to reports, M.B. Patil, Tikota MLA, raised the issue in the Lower House and demanded that the Government give administrative approval for the project immediately. He sought the attention of the House to the ongoing agitation even as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Mallikarjun Kharge and others supported the demand.

In response, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the Government was in favour of the project and a suitable decision would be taken shortly. Hence he appealed to the agitators to withdraw the stir.

However, in Bijapur, samiti coordinator Mahantesh Biradar clarified that the agitation would continue until the Government issued a positive order to the effect. The relay hunger strike launched in all taluk headquarters since Monday in support of the agitation at Horthi continued for the second day on Tuesday. Processions and "rasta roko" were organised in all taluks.

In Bijapur, a large number of protesters gathered at Basaveshwara Chowk to form a human chain. As a result, vehicular traffic was disrupted for over half an hour.

Meantime, Opposition leader in the zilla panchayat and senior Janata Dal (Secular) member Panchappa Kalburgi told reporters here that Congress leaders were making the issue political.

"Other parties were not taken into confidence. During last winter session, the then Water Resources Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said in the House that there was no proposal before the Government to the effect.

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