Karnataka govt to spend Rs 17,000 cr for irrigation

BANGALORE: Karnataka Government has decided to spend Rs 17,000 crore funds in the next seven years to complete all irrigation projects in the Krishna river valley in order to utilise its share of waters.

This was informed at an all party meeting convened by the Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to discuss the progress of works in Krishna river basin being implemented by the government.

Minister for Water Resources Basavaraj Bommai told reporters after the meeting that the third stage works were being executed in a fast pace to ensure utilisation of its share of water.

When the works planned in the third stage of the project were completed it would bring under irrigation 5.30 lakh hectares, Bommai said.

Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah suggested that there should be no delay in completion of all the ongoing irrigation projects.

Opposition Congress leader in the upper house Motamma, JDS leader H D Revanna, ministrs Umesh Katti, Dr V S Acharya, Murugesh Nirani and C M Udasi were also present.