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Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday (July 11) hit back at Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy for his remarks on the Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery river-linking project, asking him to first obtain details from the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister before commenting.
Following Mr. Shivakumar’s announcement that Karnataka had consented to the river-linking project, Mr. Kumaraswamy had on Friday (July 10) argued that the State will not benefit much from the allocation made to it in the project and that Karnataka has to fight for its share. He had asked the Chief Minister to be cautious about such announcements and seek technical advice from engineers before making statements.
Replying to reporters’ queries in Bengaluru, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Mr. Kumaraswamy should first meet the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister. He should get information about this project and speak only after that.”
Asked about Mr. Kumaraswamy’s remarks that river-linking was not a “real estate transaction” and that the availability of water should first be established, the Chief Minister said, “I will respond to the right person at the appropriate time.”
Anti-drug campaign
On the State government’s anti-drug campaign, Mr. Shivakumar said Karnataka was committed to becoming a drug-free State through sustained awareness and enforcement measures.
“We are determined to make Karnataka a drug-free State. Awareness is being created among students, youth and parents, and we seek the cooperation of the public with the police,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Police Department’s ‘Beda Bro’ campaign was aimed at educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse and encouraging community participation in preventing the spread of narcotics.
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