Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

BJP criticises Sonia's remarks

Staff Correspondent

State Congress leaders asked to make their stand on Mahadayi scheme clear

WITH THE MEDIA: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (third from left) addressing a press conference in Hubli on Saturday along with Ministers (from left) Katta Subramanya Naidu, K.S. Eshwarappa and Jagadish Shettar.

HUBLI: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has taken strong exception to the reported statement by Congress president Sonia Gandhi against the Mahadayi diversion scheme.

Mr. Yediyurappa told presspersons here on Saturday said it was highly condemnable that Ms. Gandhi had made such a remark in Goa when the model code of conduct was in force and the issue was before the Supreme Court.

He asked leaders of the Congress in the State to make their stand on the scheme clear and urge Ms. Gandhi to apologise for her remarks. Otherwise the Bharatiya Janata Party would launch an agitation, he warned.

He said the Government was thinking of announcing compensation of more than Rs. 20,000 to farmers whose sugarcane had not been transported from their fields to sugar factories even months after the crops were ready for harvest.

The State Government would appeal to the Union Government to share at least 50 per cent of the compensation to be given to the farmers, he said.

`Remarks irresponsible'

Minister for Water Resources K.S. Eshwarappa said the State Government would seek legal opinion on initiating contempt of court proceedings against Ms. Gandhi for saying that the Mahadayi diversion scheme would not be approved.

The Government had taken the leaders of all political parties into confidence before deciding to start the work on the project. "The question of changing the decision does not arise," he asserted.

Work on the Kalasa Banduri Nala project outside the forest area would not be stopped. Tenders had already been floated, he said. He hoped that the Supreme Court would give its consent for taking up work in the forest area as the project was meant for drinking water supply.

Mr. Eshwarappa said even if a BJP-led government came to power in Goa, the stand of the State unit of the party on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala would remain the same.

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