HDK urges Centre to fund Kalasa-Banduri project

Mandya (Karnataka), Jun 17: Karnataka Chief Minister downplayed Congress President Sonia Gandhi's reported backtracking from her statement in Goa over inter-state Kalasa-Banduri drinking water project, but said people of Karnataka would appreciate if the Centre come forward to fund the the project.

"Don't put too much on Ms Gandhi's reported backtracking from her statement on the project during the recent Goa elections. We would welcome if the UPA government comes forward to fund the drinking water project," he told newspersons at Bandihole village in this district after an overnight stay at a farmer's house last night.

Mr Kumaraswamy said, "Ms Gandhi should have made statements in support of water starved people wherever they were. But feeling sorry for making a political statement will not help. If the Centre comes forward to fund the project, we will appreciate," he said.

Ms Sonia's statement on the project, to provide drinking water to Hubli-Dharwad twin cities and the districts of Dharwad and Haveri, had evoked widespread protests in Karnataka. The Congress supremo had reportedly said during the electioneering that her Party oppposed the Kalasa-Banduri project.

On the debated internal reservation among the backward classes issue, the Chief Minister said a Cabinet Sub-committee would be set up in the nest two days to look into the issue.

He said the cabinet had already discussed the issue in detail and decided to constitute a sub-committee with himself as its Chairman.

"This committee will begin a study on the internal reservation immediately. Reservation to the OBC and other categories in the state would be looked into while preparing the report. Only after the report is submitted the next move will take place," he asserted.

"While only a section of people cornered most of the benefits in reservations. Internal reservation, a long pending demand from the various categories of the backward classes who remain deprived of facilities extended by the government will be given their due. We will set right the imbalance," he said.

Referring to increasing farmers' suicides in the state, he said he had discussed the issue with them personally the farmers and their representatives. "We will announce a better financial package in the 15 days, to supplement the measures already in place. A meeting is convened in Bangalore on June 19 to discuss issue," he said.

Referring to the doubts handing over the power to the BJP, Mr Kumaraswamy said there was no confusion among the coalition partners on this issue. The confusion was a media creation which had created doubts in the people's minds. As announced earlier the power would be handed over to the BJP at the appropriate time, he added.

On the opposition to setting up of SEZs in the state, the Chief Minister said that the government will not acquire lands from the farmers to set up such zones.

"Government will not acquire any agriculture land to set up SEZs.

The government will accord sanction to those want to set up SEZs only if they purchase lands directly from the farmers. However to usher in faster development the state government will continue its support the industry in setting up SEZs," he added.

UNI