All-party Karnataka MPs protest T N Cauvery project

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) A delegation of Karnataka MPs today called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to lodge their protest against laying of foundation stone for Hogenakal project for utilising Cauvery waters.

The delegation comprising Union Ministers M V Rajasekharan, K H Muniappa and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda expressed concern that the details of the project was not made public either by the Government of India or by Tamil Nadu.

"We request you to kindly intervene in the matter as we fear the interests of the State are likely to be affected adversely", the memorandum presented before the PM said.

The issue also figured in the Lok Sabha when BJP MP and former Union Minister Anantha Kumar raised the issue of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi laying the foundation for the dam drawing protests from Tamil Nadu MPs who walked into the well of the House to protest the Mr Kumar's remark.

The leaders also urged Dr Singh to provide Kannada the status of Classical Language expeditiously. Despite an all party demand in 2004, nothing had moved, the memorandum said.

The MPs also sought amendment to Article 371 of the Constitution for providing special status for backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region and to facilitate the area to receive special economic assistance.

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