Mysuru, 20 July

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar on Sunday offered ‘baagina’ (a traditional offering) to the Kabini River and said Rs 32.25 crore had been approved for the dam’s renovation, along with a slew of irrigation and development projects for the region.

"A sum of Rs 32.25 crore has been approved for the renovation work," Siddaramaiah said, adding that there are also plans to develop a garden near Kabini similar to the iconic Brindavan Gardens near the KRS dam.

The current water level at the dam stood 2283.83ft against its maximum 2,284ft with an outflow of 15,000 cusecs of water to downstream Kapila river.

Proposals have also been submitted for the modernisation of the Taraka Reservoir canal and other irrigation systems around Kabini, a Cauvery tributary, in HD Kote taluk.

Shivakumar said that repair works at State’s dams would be taken up on priority basis once the technical Committee on dam safety submits its report.

“We had set up a technical committee on dam safety after one of the gates at Tunga Bhadra reservoir was damaged,” he said. “We will take necessary action once we receive the report.”

Shivakumar, who also holds the water portfolio, said his department has also sent a proposal of Rs 88 crore to the Union government under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project for rejuvenation of its safety.

He added, “Kabini was not full for the last two years but is full this year. Kabini has been of great help during poor rain years. Our MLAs have given a proposal to develop the area”.

Asked about the botanical garden project proposal gathering dust, he said, “Investors must come forward. Our priority right now is efficient use of water and reservoir safety.”

The show of solidarity between the two comes after Siddaramaiah allegedly snubbed Shivakumar during the Sadhana Samavesha event in Mysuru on Saturday, attended by Party President Mallikarjun Kharge.

While addressing the gathering and acknowledging dignitaries on the dais, Siddaramaiah omitted Shivakumar’s name—prompting criticism and sparked speculation, especially since Shivakumar had left the venue earlier to travel to Delhi.

Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP's reaction as "political mischief. The BJP is trying to find pebbles in the curd—making an issue out of a non-issue".

He added, "How is it an insult if someone who has already left the venue is not named? "

Shivakumar, too, played down the episode.

"The BJP leaders seem to have too much love for me," he said with a laugh. "The stronger you are, the more admirers you attract."

He clarified that there was no politics about the trip.

“I had to travel to Delhi for a meeting with my lawyer, it was a personal trip. There is nothing political about it.”