Karnataka’s Water Resource Minister MB Patil has come under the scanner for his alleged involvement in irregularities in the Irrigation Department and his role in supplying water from Almatti Dam’s dead storage to Jindal Enterprises.
Now, a nine-member BJP committee, headed by former Minister Basavaraj Bommai, will ‘look into’ the alleged irregularities.
On May 23, BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa had levelled allegations against MB Patil, that despite the extreme drought prevailing in the state, Patil had allegedly agreed to give 7 tmcft of water to Jindal Enterprises from the Almatti Dam’s dead storage level.
Calling the irrigation department ‘the most corrupt’ in the state, Yeddyurappa on Thursday, during the BJP’s Janasamparka Yatra in Dharwad district, said that the nine-member committee will also look into how the estimated cost of the Ghataprabha and Malaprabha canal modernisation project was increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 1,200 crore.
Yeddyurappa said that the committee includes BJP leaders Pralhad Joshi, Govind Karjol, Murugesh Nirani, CC Patil and others.
“The members will conduct a spot inspection on May 30 and 31 to obtain the facts. BJP will then draw up plans for a protest related to irrigation issues in Karnataka. The ministry has failed to maintain the water level in the dams required for drinking purposes. Instead they are supplying it to industries,” Yeddyurappa told reporters.
“The estimated cost of Malaprabha canal modernisation was increased for no reason at all. The engineer who had estimated the project cost at Rs 500 crore, was forced by Patil to change the estimate to Rs 1,200 crore in his report. When the engineer refused, he was transferred,” he alleged.
The BJP state president said MB Patil and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were involved in a major nexus with corrupt contractors as it has stopped preparing estimates under the supervision of experts.
“The Congress government is running a Tughlaq Durbar. It is neglecting the people and is only interested in looting the state’s treasury. Investigation into all possible irregularities in the Irrigation Department will be ordered by the BJP if it comes to power,” Yeddyurappa said.
“As the KPCC President will be announced by the end of May, BJP will happy if MB Patil, who is a potential candidate, becomes the President. This will ensure that the Congress, which is a sinking ship, would sink faster,” Yeddyurappa said.