No truth in Maharashtra allegations against increase in height of Almatti dam, says Karnataka Minister

Karnataka has formed a committee to study flood control, and its report is awaited.

There is no truth in Maharashtra’s allegations that raising the height of Almatti dam will lead to flooding in that State, Minister R. B. Thimmapur said in Bagalkot on June 4.

“We have enough material to show that impounding more water by increasing the height of the dam will not lead to inundation in Maharashtra. We are willing to share all technical details of the project, and its implications with riparian States,” he told reporters. “Even parts of northern Karnataka are regularly flooded. We have formed a committee to study flood control and its report is awaited.”

“Some Maharashtra leaders, including the Chief Minister, are objecting to our efforts at raising the height of the dam. But their fears are unfounded. We are confident that we will be able to convince them,” he said.

Responding to BJP’s allegations of the Congress government targeting Hindus in the Mangaluru communal riots case, he said, “BJP has always done this. They do not believe in justice, or the Constitution. They do not even believe in the liberal nature of Hinduism. Instead of putting out the fire when the entire Mangaluru is burning, BJP is fanning it.”