Center adopts step motherly treatment on Irrigation: Minister

Bangalore, Aug 4 (UNI) Karnakata Irrigation Minister K S Eswarappa today alleged that the centre had shown 'step motherly' treatment to the state by directing to divert irrigation funds of Rs 2410 crore under 'Vidarbha Package' to other schemes.

Speaking to newsmen here he said the centre had done injustice to the state by such a step. However, the state would go ahead with the 17 irrigation schemes as mentioned in the proposals and spend on its own under a new name " CM and DCM package" instead of the " PM's package," he added.

Replying to queries he said the centre had approved finance for four projects under Krishna basin and one in a different area and sanctioned an amount of Rs 1208 crore. But the state had not received any amount as yet. These projects would be funded by the state hereafter and completed in next four years, he added.

On Kalasa Banduri too, the state government was committed to implement the project aimed at providing drinking water in North Karnataka Region. The state would file a reply to the Supreme Court soon in this regard, he added saying that the issue might lead to a people's movement if the centre delayed its decision.

He took exception the remarks made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the city yesterday with regard to appealing to his partymen to be prepared for polls and said the Bharatiya Janata Party was also ready to go to the people if there was no transfer of power from Janata Dal (Secular) in October.

UNI