Bengaluru, Aug 15 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Saturday accused the state government of secretly releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu despite its public claim that not even a drop would be released to the neighbouring state.
Ashoka alleged that the government was releasing water from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir at night while farmers in Karnataka were facing shortages and people were struggling even for drinking water.
“On one hand, the government says it will not release water to Tamil Nadu, while on the other, it is secretly opening the KRS dam gates and releasing water,” he said.
Targeting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy, Ashoka questioned the government’s “two-faced” approach to the Cauvery water issue and accused it of betraying the interests of Kannadigas.
He alleged that farmers in Mandya, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar were facing difficulties as their crops were drying up, while the government was allegedly releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to appease its political allies.
“Why is the government in such a hurry to release water to Tamil Nadu when there is not enough water for Kannadigas in the KRS reservoir?” he asked.
Ashoka also accused the Congress government of making false assurances to people and demanded that the release of Cauvery water from KRS to Tamil Nadu be stopped immediately.
He warned that the BJP would intensify its protest across Karnataka if the government failed to stop the release of water.
“Do not test the patience of Kannadigas. The BJP strongly condemns this anti-Karnataka politics being pursued at the cost of the interests of farmers and the public. If the release of water is not stopped immediately, we will take to the streets across the state,” Ashoka said.
Ashoka further accused the Congress government of pushing people towards alcohol addiction in an attempt to increase revenue and fill the state exchequer.
He alleged that the government, which had “damaged the state’s economy” in the name of promoting its free guarantee schemes, was now putting pressure on excise officials and liquor shop owners to achieve a revenue collection target of Rs 45,000 crore.
Ashoka questioned Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Excise Minister Shivalinge Gowda over the alleged targets imposed on officials to boost liquor sales.
He claimed that officials had been given a target of selling liquor worth an average of Rs 3,800 crore every month and alleged that they were being harassed and issued show-cause notices if liquor sales fell below the target.
“Is this the kind of administration where officials are pressured to increase alcohol consumption?” he asked.
He further alleged that the government was allowing liquor outlets to spread across rural and urban areas, with more than 12,003 liquor shops operating across the state.
“Are you filling the state coffers by pushing families into alcohol addiction and becoming responsible for the tears of mothers?” he asked.
Ashoka also accused the Congress government of financial mismanagement and questioned whether relying on transport corporations, electricity companies and the Excise Department to generate revenue was its model of governance.
He urged Chief Minister Shivakumar not to “play with the health and future of Kannadigas” for the sake of increasing government revenue.
“Do not push poor families into alcoholism and invite the curse of women. This shameful policy of turning the youth and poor families of the state into alcohol addicts for political gains should be abandoned immediately,” Ashoka said.
–IANS
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