Siddu urges state MPs, ministers to raise state issues

New Delhi, NT Bureau: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday held a meeting with Union Ministers from Karnataka, MPs from the state, his own Cabinet colleagues and others at the Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday.

In the meeting, the CM asked them to promote the interests of the state and mentioned 27 issues, which included irrigation projects that either require approval or release of funds.

“We may be representing different parties. But when it comes to Karnataka, we are all on the same page. Our predecessors are also role models in this regard. We have no parties when it comes to land, water, resources, language, culture, identity of the State,” Siddaramaiah said.

The points raised included the Upper Bhadra Project. A grant of Rs 5,300 crore had been announced in the Union budget for 2023-24 for the project but so far no grant has been released.

The CM demanded “national project” status for it. Irrigation projects like the Mekedatu project and the Kalasa Banduri Nala Project, which are yet to get a nod, were also brought up.

The 15th Finance Commission had recommended a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore to Karnataka, which Siddaramaiah said should be honoured. An approval was also sought for an AIIMS in Raichur.