Chamarajanagar (Karnataka) May 21 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, who is also In-charge of Water Resources Ministry, said on Thursday that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project had been prepared and would soon be submitted to the Centre for approval.

Speaking to reporters near the Kollegal helipad and the Madhyaranga temple in Chamarajanagar district, Shivakumar noted that the state government had already opened a dedicated office for the Mekedatu project and was in the process of identifying alternative land for the forest area that would be submerged.

“The DPR for the Mekedatu project has been prepared, and we have started a project office for it. We are identifying alternative land to compensate for the forest area that will be submerged. The DPR will soon be submitted to the Central government, and once approval is granted, the foundation stone for the project will be laid,” he said.

Referring to the Cauvery water dispute, Shivakumar said Karnataka was under a clear directive to release 177 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu.

“We will discuss in the coming days how this issue should be resolved. Tamil Nadu has no right to object to the Mekedatu project. The Supreme Court has clearly stated that the Central Water Commission must take a decision on the matter,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that governance should be judged not by holding power but by the work carried out while in office.

He noted that the Congress-led state government had completed three years in power and fulfilled the promises it had made to the people of the state.

“Our (Congress) government has completed three years in office, and we have honoured the promises made to the people. We have also introduced the Bhu Guarantee scheme as the sixth guarantee. We are providing property account documents door-to-door with photos of both the beneficiary and the property. We are repaying the trust of the people by doing work others could not accomplish,” Shivakumar said.

He added that the state government planned to undertake more developmental work over the next two years and was already discussing contingency measures in case of deficient rainfall this year.

“The past two years witnessed good rainfall. If there is a rainfall deficit this year, we are discussing how to protect farmers and address drinking water issues,” he said.

Shivakumar also dismissed the long-standing belief that political leaders lose power if they visit Chamarajanagar district, calling it a superstition.

“Chamarajanagar is a historic district blessed with religious and natural wealth on the banks of the Cauvery river. The belief that leaders lose power after visiting Chamarajanagar is mere superstition. God resides wherever there is devotion. Devotees find peace by visiting pilgrimage centres such as Male Mahadeshwara, Madhyaranga, Siddappaji and Gopalaswamy temples,” he said.

He added that it had become a tradition for devotees to visit the Adiranga temple in Srirangapatna, Madhyaranga and Anthyaranga temples between sunrise and sunset.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the state government, along with private participation, was undertaking renovation works at the temple.

“Despite a Cabinet meeting being scheduled today, many Ministers, including myself, have attended this programme. Temples are places where a bond exists between devotees and God. This pilgrimage centre is famous among devotees and is a gift of nature,” he added.

Shivakumar said the state government had undertaken several developmental initiatives in the region, including holding a Cabinet meeting in the district to focus on local development and taking steps toward industrial growth.

He also added that the state government had fulfilled its promise of providing government jobs to family members of those who died in the oxygen tragedy during the Covid-19 pandemic in Chamarajanagar district.

“Minister K. Venkatesh has done work that will go down in history,” he said.

On the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, Shivakumar added that conducting the elections was the responsibility of the Election Commission and assured full cooperation from the state government.

“The responsibility of conducting the GBA elections lies with the Election Commission. The state government is fully prepared to cooperate, and the elections will be held at the appropriate time. We will make all necessary preparations,” he said.

When asked when he would become Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shivakumar replied with a smile, “Time will decide that.”

–IANS

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