The Centre has informed the Supreme Court the need to notify the Krishna Water Tribunal Award 2, and has promised Karnataka that the process of approval for Mekedatu drinking water project will be hastened, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Tuesday.
“We informed the State’s stand and the recent resolution on Mekedatu passed by the legislature. We were assured of a decision at the earliest,” the Chief Minister told presspersons in New Delhi after meeting Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He was accompanied by Water Resources Minister Govind Karjol. Mr. Bommai’s meeting with the Union Minister comes close on the heels of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge him not to accord sanction to Mekedatu project. Earlier, the all-party meeting held in Bengaluru, had decided that the Chief Minister would meet the Ministers concerned after the legislature session ended.
Regarding Upper Krishna Project-3, Mr. Bommai said that the State had been informed by the Centre that it has already filed an affidavit in Supreme Court on the need to notify the tribunal award as per the law. “Two judges have recused from the case and new judges have to be appointed. Our advocates have also argued for appointment of two new judges. Tribunal award notification is important to raise the height in Almatti reservoir.” He said that Mekedatu, Mahadayi, Upper Bhadra and Upper Krishna projects were discussed with the Union Minister.
On the status of Upper Bhadra, the Chief Minister said that the Finance Ministry’s clearance is awaited. “Once it is cleared by the Finance Ministry, the matter will come up before Cabinet for the project to be declared as a national project. I will be impressing upon the Finance Minister to clear the project soon.”
The Chief Minister, along with Power Minister Sunil Kumar, also met the Energy Minister R.K. Singh to discuss the power reforms. “Discussion on means to get Centre’s help implement power reforms took place. If implemented, the power subsidy of around ₹18,000 crore annually could be reduced.” Further, the State also argued for revision of power tariff for the State in the Central and Southern power grid, and the Minister has agreed to review it, Mr. Bommai said.
