Bengaluru, 5 July

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that a scheme would be formulated to provide water to all taluks of Tumakuru, as he asserted that the whole district was important to him not just Kunigal.

Speaking to press at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, “We have taken feedback from representatives of the district on Hemavathi link canal. Some are protesting that the Hemavathi link canal must not be a pipeline, but that is a decision taken by the government.”

He added that Union Minister Somanna had recommended an expert inspection by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which the government had accepted.

“It is not just about Kunigal, but we have to provide water to the entire Tumakuru district. We have a plan for it and we will distribute water in such a way that it is fair to all. It is our duty to take care of the interest of all taluks,” he said.

Highlighting political challenges, Shivakumar remarked, “It was our government that started this project, but the BJP stopped it. Despite Yediyurappa’s promise, the medical college sanctioned for my constituency was shifted to Chikkaballapura. It’s all government decisions.”