Kalasa Banduri project: Oppn members stage walkout in Council

Bangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) The Opposition Congress members in the Karnataka Legislative Council today staged a walkout in protest against the state government's failure to make its stand clear on the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project during the recent high level meeting with Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz in New Delhi.

Replying to the discussion initiated on the issue, Water Resources Minister K S Eshwarappa said that though the state government during the meeting had favoured finding an amicable solution to the issue by holding talks between the states concerned, the Goa government had demanded setting up of a tribunal.

Leader of the Opposition H K Patil said the Goa government had made such a demand as the state government failed to represent its case effectively.

He also referred to the order issued by the Centre, keeping in abeyance the clearance given to divert 7.5 TMC of water from river Mahadayi to meet the water needs of north Karnataka, following the objection raised by the Goa government and blamed the state government of having failed to get the order withdrawn at the high level meeting.

Dissatisfied with the government's reply, the Congress members staged a walkout. They were soon joined by the JD (U) members.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Mr Eshwarappa and two other ministers had attended the meeting in New Delhi two days ago.

UNI SIV RG TS2009