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Manipal :  The delay in completion of the proposed Varahi Irrigation project and irregularities in Varahi led to a lengthy discussion in the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting at the Dr. V. S. Acharya Memorial Hall, Rajathadri, Manipal here on 20th February, 2017.

Pramod Madhwaraj District in charge Minister presided over the meeting and raising the issue in the meeting Pratapchandra Shetty MLC said the actual purpose of the farmers which serving them not fulfilled due to the project. Water has not been released to farmers in the region. In fact, the water is used for power generation. He charged bureaucrats involved in the project execution are more interested in power generation rather the actual purpose of irrigation and drinking water as proposed at the time of implementation of the Varahi project.

In reply to Pramod Madhwaraj said that he will visit the Varahi project site on 6th March and review the ongoing work there. He instructed the officials concerned to fixing the leakages in the pipeline connecting the lift irrigation project to the left bank canal. He said after the spot inspection, the minor irrigation minister will be called to discuss the loopholes in the project.

Kota Srinivas Poojary MLC also said that the purpose of the Varahi project is to irrigate the farm land in the surrounding areas. 16tmcft of water is available in Varahi river and it is sufficient for Udupi. The off-take for the lift irrigation at the left bank begins at 33 km which ends Barkur. The problems of forest and deemed forest area can be prevented.

Kota Srinivas Poojary asking about the availability of sand, the Public Works Department executive Engineer said that in two blocks of sand in Karkala 820 tonnes of sand was extracted and the work was stopped due to poor quality of sand received in the non – CRZ area. In Kundapur the work is going on in two sand blocks. 2,620 tonnes of sand is extracted. There is stock of 800 tonnes of sand and the price is reduced to Rs. 750 as against the earlier price of Rs. 960.

Pramod Madhwaraj said that as a verdict is pending on the stay order imposed on CRZ area by Green Tribunal in Supreme Court, he directed officials to brief over the present situation in non-CRZ area. The state government has submitted a proposal on CRZ to the central government urging for relaxation that has been given to Kerala and Goa.

Pramod Madhwaraj said that the BJP government’s failure in sending the proposal to the central government in 2011 which led to CRZ problem in the district. Pramod Madhwaraj rejected the demand to reduce fines imposed on the illegal sand offenders. The district administration fails in implementing effective measures in controlling sand mining will lead to negative impact on the Green Tribunal’s verdict. Babu Shetty, Zilla Panchayat member said that the illegal transport of sand is on in the neighbouring districts. Additional Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhan said that constant patrolling is on the in the border areas. The state government has provided three vehicles for National Highway patrolling. Assistant Commissioner Shilpa Nag said that the checkposts have been set up at Shiroor border.

Haladi Srinivas Shetty Kundapur MLA, Sheela K Shetty ZP Vice President, T. Venkatesh Deputy Commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis ZP CEO and other among were present.