Govt to speed up works on Netravati project:CM

Bangalore, June 27 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said in next few days the government will make full payment to a Hyderabad-based institute to speed up remaining survey works for a project involving the diversion of surplus water of River Netravati for ground water re-charge, providing drinking water to ten drought-hit districts.

Talking to newsmen here, he said the state government had so far paid Rs 2.50 crore of total of Rs 15.60 crore to the institute for the project reports.

He recalled the previous government, based on a report from an irrigation expert, had made an agreement with the institute for the project reports.

The chief minister said he had convened a meeting of the ministers concerned in the next three days to discuss about making balance payment to the institute at the earliest.

Stating the people of Dakshina Kannada District were opposing the the project, he said the government would take a final decision only after receiving the full report from the institute.

Mr Kumarswamy today held a meeting of the elected representatives of the districts concerned and irrigation experts to seek their opinions on the implementation of the project.

UNI