Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Sep 15: State minor irrigation minister, C S Puttaraju, speaking to the media in the JD(S) party office at Udyavar here on Friday September 14, pooh-poohed the claims of BJP leaders that several JD(S) MLAs are ready to change loyalties. "BJP leaders are talking as if the requisite number of legislators required to form the government are under their beck and call. They do not have faith in democracy in the country. This is merely an effort being made by the BJP leaders to pamper their own egos. Our government will remain strong and steady for the full five years term,” he said.

“Chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, is fully involved with working in the interests of the people. He is determined to implement projects that are beneficial to the state and its people. Nobody can unseat him. BJP leaders keep uttering one lie after the other and succeed in misleading the media. None of the JD(S) MLAs are prepared to shift their allegiance to BJP. They have been busy discharging their duties towards their respective constituencies. Prime Minister is adept at delivering long speeches. He runs the government with the help of kingpins of clubs. BJP has relegated to such a bad situation,” Puttaraju said.

We will expose everything within 24 hours

Puttaraju, reacting to efforts said to have been aimed at attracting Mandya MLAs into BJP, said that BJP cannot even reach them. “Seven MLAs and three MLCs are working with the chief minister to protect him,” he added.

He said his party had once handled BJP leaders like puppets, and pledged to reveal scandals with which BJP leaders are involved if they try to do anything nasty.

Speaking about his portfolio, he said that he chose this department on his own accord, as it helps him to make people happy. He said he has been working to make people happy. About local MP, Shobha Karandlaje, he said he keeps meeting her at New Delhi.

District president of JD(S), Yogish V Shetty, working president, Vasudeva Rao, and district spokesperson Pradeep Bailoor were present.

Vented dams to facilitate movement of light vehicles

“Vented dams that are being built by the state minor irrigation department will enable light vehicles to ply on them,” said minister of minor irrigation, C S Puttaraju.

He was speaking after presiding over the progress review meeting of the department of minor irrigation and development of ground water at the auditorium in the office of the district deputy commissioner here on Friday, Sep 14.

“Vented dams are being constructed for improving irrigation. But there have been demands by people that to allow movement of vehicles on them. Therefore, vented dams being built hereafter will enable light vehicle to move on them depending on the density of traffic in the area. It would be possible to allow vehicular traffic up to a maximum width of seven meters,” he stated.

“During floods, wooden logs and trash used to get accumulated and obstruct flow of water. Those should be cleared expeditiously in such cases. Rs 20 lac subsidy will be provided for every assembly constituency for the purpose. As wooden planks for storing water in vented dams and other dams do not last long, we are thinking of replacing them with planks like one being used in Maharashtra and Telangana,” he informed.

“Projects should be taken up to prevent salt water of the sea getting mixed with fresh water of the river. This will allow availability of sufficient amount of water for drinking and agriculture. The government will draw up action plan to completely protect all the lakes in the state,” he added.

“Nearly 408 works worth Rs 673 crores will be taken up in Udupi under Paschimavahini project. Tender for initial 14 works worth Rs 52.60 crores have been called and are in initial stages,” he said.

MLAs Lalaji Mendon and Halady Srinivas Shetty, MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, zilla panchayat president, Dinakar Babu, deputy commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis, minor irrigation department secretary, Mrathyunjaya Swamy, additional deputy commissioner, Vidyakumari and others were present. Minor irrigation department executive engineer, Gokuldas, gave details of minor irrigation projects in the district.