Farmers' suicide; Siddaramaiah to lead all party delegation to PM Narendra Modi

HUBBALLI: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said he will lead an all party delegation to the Prime Minister to seek more relief funds in the wake of farmer suicides, unseasonal rains and drought like situation in certain parts of the state.

The Chief Minister stated this to reporters as he arrived at the Hubballi airport, on way to Dharwad and Gadag districts to comfort the families of farmers who have committed suicide.

He said the Prime Minister's office has been contacted and appointment sought for the meeting before the Parliament session ends.

Siddaramaiah stated that he also intends to raise the Kalasa-Banduri canal project, over which the state has locked horns with neighbouring Goa, during his meeting with the Prime Minister and will submit a memorandum on the same.

The Kalasa-Banduri Nala (diversion) project, which will utilise 7.56 tmc ft of water from the inter-state Mahadayi river is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.

It involves building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri, tributaries of Mahadayi river, to divert 7.56 TMC of water to the Malaprabha river which supplies the drinking water needs of the twin cities.