Seeking early implementation of the pending irrigation projects of north Karnataka, the ‘Krishna, Mahadayi, Navli Sankalpa Yatre’ will be held from April 13 to 17 from Nargund in Gadag district under the aegis of the Uttar Karnataka Swabhimani Vedike.
Addressing presspersons in Hubballi on Monday, former Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council and president of the vedike S.R. Patil said that north Karnataka had always been meted out injustice, particularly in the implementation of irrigation projects.
Clarifying that it was a apolitical movement launched to highlight the injustice meted out to the region, Mr. Patil said that it was not going against his ‘father’ (the party) and Congress leaders could participate in the movement.
The whole objective of the yatre was to sensitise the public on the issues of regional imbalance, he said. Although north Karnataka districts possessed 68% of the State’s water resources, failure to effectively utilise the resources had led to problems like migration. “The movement is not against any party or individual but to sensitise all,” he said.
“As per official data, there is 1.37% irrigation in Kalyana Karnataka, 3.3% in Kittur Karnataka, whereas there is 11.5% irrigation in Old Mysuru region. In order to alleviate regional imbalance, the Upper Krishna Project, the Mahadayi, and the Navali projects should be implemented and pending projects should be expedited,” he said.
Clarifying that during his 24 years as member of the Council, he had always raised his voice for irrigation projects. “My first speech in the council was for UKP project and in my last speech before my tenure ended, I raised my voice for irrigation projects of NK region. On that day itself I made an announcement on the rally and accordingly the ‘yatre’ is being held apolitically,” he said.
The yatre will be launched from Nargund in Gadag district on April 13 and will conclude at Badangadi in Bilagi taluk of Bagalkot district through a mega convention on April 17.
Mr. Patil said that Fakir Dingaleshwara Swami would launch the yatre and many farmers and activists will participate in the tractor rally. Over 100 tractors would be part of the rally and the number would be restricted to 100 keeping in mind the traffic issues, he said.
The participants would be returning home after five days and accommodation facilities had been made at various villages during the rally, Mr. Patil said adding at a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had been filed by him seeking early implementation of the Upper Krishna Project. Former minister B.R. Yavagal and others were present.
