BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is undertaking a
safety audit and check of all major dams in the state.
Water resources minister D K Shivakumar told reporters here on Thursday that the audit has been carried out by experts, using
drone cameras. There are no reports of any damage or leakage in any of the dams, but this is being done since chief minister H D Kumaraswamy had sought a report on the safety of dams, in the backdrop of most dams getting filled to the brim, the minister said.
Shivakumar said his department will also conduct GIS mapping of dams pertaining to the irrigation department, and document them.
Experts will conduct video surveillance of the site and photograph dams using a good quality GPS camera, along with the design and drawing of dams, check dams or canals. “As of now, we have only old maps of the dams,” he added.
The minister said he has directed the police to lodge a complaint and initiate action against those who had spread rumours in social media about cracks developing in the Harangi dam, triggering panic among people in rain-ravaged Kodagu.
Govt to file appeal in SC on Mahadayi
The Karnataka government will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the recent verdict of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal.
The tribunal, headed by Justice JM Panchal, recently granted Karnataka 13.4tmcft of water against the state’s claim of 36.5tmcft. This includes 8.02tmcft for hydel power generation and 3.9tmcft of water for drinking. “We are not happy with the tribunal’s verdict, so the legal team has suggested filing an appeal,” Shivakumar said.
Loan waiver gets delayed
Farmers who have availed of loans from nationalized banks may have to wait a little longer. The state cabinet meeting on Friday is unlikely to announce the crop loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh from nationalised banks.
“It will definitely happen, but will take some time as there are some technical issues to be sorted out between the state government and banks,” cooperation minister Bandeppa Kashempur told reporters on Thursday.
The total outstanding loan with national banks is pegged at Rs 26,000 crore. The state government has not only asked banks to waive interest of Rs 5,300 crore, but also allowed them to pay the principal loan amount in three instalments of over Rs 8,000 crore.
But sources said banks have now refused the proposal to pay in instalments and asked for a single settlement.
