State govt. committed to ensuring both welfare of farmers and safety of Tungabhadra dam: Shivakumar

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday appealed to the people not to believe the “false and misleading information” being spread by the Opposition over the release of Tungabhadra water for the second crop, asserting that the State government is committed to ensuring both welfare of farmers and the safety of the dam.

Speaking after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the ₹859-crore project for filling 74 tanks in Kudligi taluk and other development works worth ₹1,250 crore in Vijayanagara district, Mr. Shivakumar said that the Tungabhadra Reservoir’s crest gates are being replaced and hence, caution is necessary in managing water levels.

“Some people are politicising the Tungabhadra issue. All the crest gates of the dam are being replaced and work is in progress. We are not against releasing water for the second crop, but the dam’s safety is equally important. Farmers should think which is more vital, a single crop or the reservoir itself. The Tungabhadra Board, constituted by the Union government, will decide on water release. I request farmers not to bow to political pressure or Opposition propaganda,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that while the tank-filling project itself cost over ₹800 crore, the annual electricity cost of pumping water will exceed ₹80 lakh.

“The State government can bear the cost for a year or two but in the long term, these tanks should be auctioned for fish farming. The income generated can be used to pay electricity bills,” he suggested.

Mr. Shivakumar described the tank-filling initiative as the “seventh guarantee” of the Congress government. “Our five guarantee schemes have already become a model for the entire country. Now, we are giving water to farmers as the seventh guarantee,” he said.

Recalling how the Congress government fulfilled its promises despite criticism from the BJP, he said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi once mocked our guarantee schemes. Now, BJP-ruled States like Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have copied them. This Congress hand has strengthened people’s lives. It has supported farmers, empowered women and stood by the poor.”

Mr. Shivakumar said that the State government has spent ₹1 lakh crore on guarantee schemes, ₹20,000 crore on free power for irrigation pumps and ₹9,000 crore on pensions.

“No BJP government has ever implemented such welfare schemes. Even without a rupee from the Centre, our government continues its work,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister also announced that the State government is considering setting up a silk market in Kudligi, given the presence of over 4,000 sericulture farmers in the region.

“The silk produced here fetches higher prices in Ramanagara. Since Chinese silk imports have reduced, our silk prices have risen. We will explore opening a local market here,” he said.

He also mentioned that legislators and Ministers who failed to cooperate in allocating land for Congress offices will be reported to the AICC.

“A region’s development is not only the responsibility of politicians but also of the people. MLA N.T. Srinivas is working hard for your progress. Please extend your full cooperation,” he said.