The Hindu : New Delhi News : Yeddyurappa for joint survey

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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Yeddyurappa for joint survey

Special Correspondent

Irrigation Minister in touch with Tamil Nadu counterpart on Hogenakkal

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Tuesday complained against Tamil Nadu Government going ahead with the Hogenakkal drinking water project, and accused Maharashtra of creating problems by releasing excess water from the Koyna dam without prior information.

Speaking to presspersons here after a meeting at the Planning Commission, he said, “a joint survey is very much required [with regard to the Hogenakkal project]. I have told the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister that without permission, it [Tamil Nadu] cannot start the project”.

Mr. Yeddyurappa was responding to a question on the reported statement of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi that the project was proceeding on schedule and that there was no need for his State to seek the permission of either the Centre or the Karnataka Government for implementing it.

Asked whether he would meet Mr. Karunanidhi on the issue, the Chief Minister said that the Irrigation Minister was in touch with his counterpart in Tamil Nadu. He recalled that during his earlier visit to Delhi, he had requested the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers of southern States for a discussion on the various inter-State disputes.

He said that he had requested the Planning Commission to help the State carry out irrigation projects on the Cauvery basin under the Plan package without any conditions.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said that Maharashtra was releasing 2.2 lakh cusecs of water from the dam without prior information, affecting Gokak town as also many villages in Gokak taluk.

“I spoke to the Chief Minister this morning and requested him to inform us in advance whenever water was released from Koyna in future and to release the water gradually to avoid flood and damage to life and property”, he said.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said the State Government would soon come out with a comprehensive mining policy. Noting that the Government had not issued any fresh licence or renewed existing ones since he assumed power, the Chief Minister said that the Government had resolved not to press for issue of licences with regard to 22 cases pending with the Centre. Also, 12 cases pending with the State Government would not be recommended to the Centre for issue of licenses, he said.

The Government, he said, would abide by the Karnataka High Court’s verdict quashing 36 mining licences in forest areas of five districts. Steps would be taken to curb illegal mining based on the maps produced after a satellite survey of mining areas in the State.

A mobile squad had been formed and a joint task force comprising officials from the police, revenue, law, forest and mining departments was being set up to curb illegal mining and transport of ore. The number of mining check posts would be shortly raised to 135 from the present 58, he said.

Illegal mining in revenue lands would be regulated and farmers were being requested to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Mysore Minerals for tapping mineral resources.

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