THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Amid a rising demand from environmentalists and a section of farmers in the region to stop work on the Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion, another group of agitating farmers have demanded the implementation of the project and have asked the Centre to initiate measures to restart the work on the project.
The Karnataka State Farmers' Association Federation has issued an ultimatum to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, demanding concrete action on the long-pending diverting and linking of Kalsa-Bhandura tributaries to River Malaprabha.
They have also issued a warning that a positive announcement should come from the Centre before July 21, which is observed as Farmers' Martyrs Day.
Presiding over a meeting at Hubballi, Basanagouda Patil, Working President of the Federation, warned that if the government fails to announce measures by this deadline, farmers will stage a dharna (sit-in protest) right in front of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence.
"Pralhad Joshi has built his political career capitalising on the Mhadei diversion issue however, he seems to have forgotten his commitment after becoming a powerful minister at the Centre. If he truly commits himself, this issue can be resolved within hours," Patil said urging the minister to act swiftly leaving politics aside.
“If a positive announcement is made before July 21, we will honour him with a garland at the same event,” he added.
Earlier, during a farmers' meeting held at Hubballi, leaders voiced frustration over the ongoing neglect of North Karnataka farmers' issues. Discussions highlighted the lack of strong farmer leadership in the region and called for collective action.
The meeting saw participation from several farmer leaders and community members from across the region.
