Date:05/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/05/stories/2007030511350400.htm

Karnataka - Others

1,363 tanks in Cauvery basin to be rejuvenated

Staff Correspondent

DAVANGERE: The State Government would take up a project to remove silt from over 1,363 tanks in the Cauvery basin and also rejuvenate them, K.S. Eshwarappa, Minister for Water Resources, said on Sunday.

Laying the foundation stone for a project to fill up 19 tanks at Jagalur, Harpanahalli and Davangere taluks with Tungabhadra water through a lift irrigation scheme here, Mr. Eshwarappa said the cost of rejuvenation project had been estimated at Rs. 600 crore.

The Government apart from fighting for its legitimate share of the Cauvery waters would also make full use of Cauvery waters through rejuvenating the tanks in the basin. A survey had already been done and the project would soon be taken up, he said. Referring to the modernisation of Bhadra canals, the Minister said the second phase of works at a cost of Rs. 380 crore would be taken up in June. Once the modernisation of canals was done, water would reach to tail-end regions, thereby solving the water needs of the farmers, he said.

He claimed that the Government was committed to providing water and other basic necessities to the rural people and to the farmers and in that direction it was ready to spend any amount of money.

Home Minister M.P. Prakash claimed that the Government was committed to the welfare of farmers. As the farmers were hit hard following the failure of rain and crop loss, the Government announced loans for them at a nominal interest rate of four per cent.