Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday defended a proposal to give up control and ownership of parts of lakes, ponds and other water bodies that have dried up and lost their original features.

“Dharmambudi lake in Bengaluru is now a bus stand. How can we develop the lake now? How to rejuvenate lakes that have lost their original features?” he asked when reporters sought his reaction to the controversial proposal by the Revenue department. He also said there is no proposal before the government to give up the ownership of actual lakes.

Asked about the BJP staging protests across the state against transfer of IPS officer D Roopa, he said it is an administrative matter. “There is nothing called good post or bad post in the government. Discipline is important in the police force. Hence, she has been transferred,” he added.

It is learnt that Bengaluru Central Prison issue came up for discussion in the Cabinet meeting, and the chief minister informed his colleagues about the steps taken by him in handling it. Siddaramaiah also holds the Home portfolio.

CM defends move to give up control of dried-up lakes