Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary held a press meet at the District Congress office here on March 23.
Addressing the mediapersons Poojary said that recently the former CM of Karnataka and the law minister Sadananda Gowda made a statement in Kundapur, “With humanitarian grounds I have taken up the Yettinahole project and I am committed to it”.
Poojary further said that it is unfortunate that both the former Chief ministers of Karnataka Moily and Sadananda Gowda did not study the climate change assessment report prepared by the Ministry of environment and forest department in 2010. The report was prepared by 120 organizations and 220 scientists and handed over to the Ministry of environment and forest department. It is a tragedy that the law minister who is born in this coastal region giving such statement.
He also said that in the report it is mentioned that the coastal region will face severe climatic changes with less rain fall and rise in temperature including heavy rains for few days. Why Veerappa Moily and Sadananda Gowda did not study the situation. “I question both the former Chief ministers, did you read the Climate change assessment report? If you have read it, don’t you have any knowledge?”
Knowing that there will be less rain in the coastal region why did you sanction the Yettinahole project? You say that from the Yettinahole project there is no harm to the coastal region but did you ask about the water crisis in the coastal region. People of the coastal area are asking for water, if DVS and Moily had little brains they would have studied about the Yettinahole water and where it stores. The Yettinahole water comes and stores in the Netravati river and joins with the sea. Don’t you know this? Did you visit Kumaradhara? Did you go through the reports which have been published in the media.
Yettinahole is at a height of 1800 ft, is this a commodity? Have you planned to harvest the rain water, did you take any steps? Did you discuss the climate change assessment report with the central ministers? You say that you want to give water to four districts on humanitarian grounds, don’t you have humanity towards the people of DK? he questioned.
The population is increasing in the coastal region and there is scarcity of water in the region.
He asked chief minister Siddaramaiah not to be adamant and continue the Yettinahole project. Stop the project, you are a good man and you have the capacity to fight against corruption. Why are you so adamant to continue the project. Before the issue will be raised in the assembly, it is better to stop the project, Poojary opined.
When asked about the Mahalingeshwara temple issue. Poojary said that it is against the constitution. What the constitution says? SP, IG and Deputy commissioner are accountable for any untoward incidents in the district. If a non Hindu goes there what will happen? God will not run away from the temple. It would be a pride if they welcomed the DC to Mahalingeshwara temple. God will give judgment and say that all are my children, do not discriminate.
Arun Coelho, Vinayraj, Sudheer TK and others were also present.
My sincere sympathies to those reporters who have to sit through the ‘comedy show’ and keep a straight face without bursting to laughter!! Not easy!!