Karnataka - Bangalore   

‘Tribunal’s nod must for project clearance’

Bangalore: The Project Appraisal Organisation in the Central Water Commission (CWC) has expressed its inability to even consider giving techno-economic clearance for the detailed project reports of the 17 large and medium irrigation works under the Prime Minister’s special rehabilitation package without the prior consent of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT).

Water Resources Minister K.S. Eshwarappa, who disclosed this in the Legislative Assembly to B. Shivaram (Congress) during Question Hour, said the CWC had refused techno-economic clearance to the projects.

The projects include Harangi, Hemavathy, Yagachi, lift irrigation schemes in Kamasamudra, Huchanakoppalu and Kachenahalli, Vatehole and Chiklihole in the Cauvery basin.

The CWC also listed Doodhganga, Ghataprabha third stage, Malaprabha, Hipparagi, Markandeya, Sri Rameshwara projects in Belgaum district and Bhadra modernisation in Shimoga and Chikmaglur districts and Bhimasamudra tank rejuvenation works in Chitradurga district in the Krishna basin.

‘Though the CWDT had submitted its final decision, the same is yet to be gazetted. The party States have petitioned seeking explanation and guidance besides filing SLP in the Supreme Court. Hence, the tribunal award is still not in force. As such prior consent of the tribunal will be necessary for appraisal of the projects in Cauvery basin,” the CWC said.

Mr. Eshwarappa alleged that the Union Government was adopting a step-motherly treatment towards irrigation projects in the State and agreed with Mr. Shivaramu that the Government would urge Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Bangalore on August 3 to withdraw the conditions imposed by the CWC.

The tribunal, he said, was unlikely to give its consent to the projects and no justice could be expected from it.

Janata Dal (U) leader J.C. Madhuswamy and G.V. Srirama Reddy (CPI-M) supported the Minister.

They wanted to know whether the CWC applied the same criteria to the projects in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

B.V. Karanth museum in Mysore soon
Monorail consultants to be finalised in August
Eyewear just got cooler
Circular on ‘jamma’ land likely to be withdrawn
Non-presentation of MTFP a mistake, says Government
‘Tribunal’s nod must for project clearance’
Yediyurappa for debate on Prohibition
Encroachments: State orders survey
Tributes paid to Kargil heroes
‘There’s no vision to develop Bangalore’
Rs. 6.33-crore action plan for Kodagu
Making out a case for micro-enterprises
State, ASI challenge grant of land on Bidar fort premises
Acid attack case: accused denied bail
Admissions
Special issue
Integrated courses
What’s the scene in Bangalore?
16,551 acres acquired for industries
Pilferage leaving these cities water-starved
Indian BPOs are reliable: Nilekani
School challenges KSSIDC notification
CM should continue
New student leaders take charge at JSS School notes

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu