Bengaluru, June 5: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has made it clear that the state government is committed to advancing the Mekedatu project. He emphasized that the government will continue to work on this initiative while respecting all legal and constitutional processes.
Shivakumar stated that Karnataka will proceed with the project under its rights and responsibilities. After chairing a high-level meeting with senior bureaucrats and officials from various departments at Vidhana Soudha, he addressed the media to clarify the state government’s stance on the Mekedatu project.
In response to questions regarding Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to the project, CM Shivakumar noted that Tamil Nadu has been opposing this initiative for the past 30 to 40 years. He remarked that this is not a new controversy and that the matter has been discussed at various levels previously.
The Chief Minister revealed that the Karnataka government has submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project to the central government, which is currently under review. He mentioned that the matter is pending consideration by the central government, while Tamil Nadu has sought recourse through various legal platforms, including the Supreme Court.
CM Shivakumar stated, “The Supreme Court has also addressed this matter. We respect the court and its opinions. We will continue our work and leave the final decision to the public.”
The Mekedatu project proposes a multi-purpose dam and drinking water project on the Cauvery River in Karnataka’s Ramanagara district. Its primary aim is to meet the growing drinking water needs of Bengaluru and surrounding areas. However, Tamil Nadu has long opposed it due to concerns over the distribution of Cauvery water.
Additionally, the Chief Minister dismissed allegations linking the announced schemes for youth to electoral politics. He asserted that the government’s goal is solely to improve the living standards of young people. He highlighted that guarantee schemes are being implemented to provide relief to citizens during times of inflation.
CM Shivakumar also announced that the state government will provide free bus passes to all students, regardless of age or gender, to facilitate education and transportation. Ensuring a safe and improved quality of life for every citizen remains the government’s priority.
Leave a Comment