Archives for 2018

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today pitched for finding a harmonious solution to the Cauvery water sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu after film star-turned-politician Kamal Hassan met him here and took up the issue.

Speaking to reporters along with Hassan, he underlined the need for a cordial relationship between the two neighboring states and said that the farmers of Karnataka were as important as their Tamil Nadu counterparts.

“What Kamal Hassan has said about the Cauvery Management Board (authority) is that both the states should maintain cordial relations. Whatever problem is there, we have to equally share it. Karnataka farmers are as important as Tamil Nadu farmers. The issue should be sorted out cordially without giving a scope for any differences,” Kumaraswamy said.

Hassan, who recently launched his political outfit ‘Makkal Needhi Maiam’, replied in the affirmative to a question whether he took up the issue of the Cauvery board (authority) and expressed satisfaction over the attitude of Kumaraswamy.

“Yes. It has been set up. We would like it to be expedited and this attitude (of Kumaraswamy) is what we are looking forward to. We are like brothers. I am happy there is the chief minister who is looking at it in the same manner,” he said.

Noting that Cauvery had been there even when they were not born, the actor said, “It will be there, it should be there.” Acting on the Supreme Court’s direction, the Centre had on Friday last constituted the CMA to address the dispute over sharing of river water among the riparian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry.

The apex court had directed the government on February 16, to form the CMA within six weeks in a verdict that marginally increased Karnataka’s share of Cauvery water, reduced the allocation for Tamil Nadu and sought to settle the protracted water dispute between the two southern states.

When Hassan was reminded that the governments in Tamil Nadu always tried to resolve the issue through court, he said courts were never a solution to the problem. It was only the people-to-people contact that can resolve the issue.

“I see hope in the conversation I had with him (Kumaraswamy) and that’s more important. The way forward will be found by people with a mindset to go forward,” said Hassan.

To a question whether he would discuss with the Tamil Nadu government just as he spoke to Hassan, Kumaraswamy said he was prepared, provided his counterpart was ready for talks.

Kumaraswamy stressed that it was the duty of the two governments to resolve the disputes within the framework of the Constitution and the federal system.

Replying to a query whether the Tamil Nadu government’s line of thinking was similar to his, Hassan said, “It doesn’t matter. I come on behalf of people and he (Kumaraswamy) is also talking on behalf of the people.”

When asked whether he wanted to be the bridge between the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Hassan said he can be “a squirrel, a bridge and even the slippers people walk on.” “I can be anything, sir. I am ready to be that because I am a new party. I am a child. I am willing to have no luggage,I have no egos. I have come here to just ask because the Kuruvai (paddy) crops are coming up and fortunately after his (Kumaraswamy) swearing-in, the catchment has seen some rain. So, you can afford to be kind,” Hassan added.

Water for irrigation is traditionally released from the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu for Kuruvai on June 12 annually but seems unlikely this year as had been on several other occasions due to low storage.

Karnataka had, early last month, said it was not in a position to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Haasan’s meeting with Kumaraswamy comes at a time when his contemporary Rajinikanth, who has announced his intentions to launch a political party, is facing a ban on his upcoming film “Kaala” in Karnataka over his remarks on Cauvery issue.

However, replying to a question, Haasan said the issue was not discussed in his meeting with the chief minister.

“Discussion was not about ‘Kaala’. Not a word was spoken about it. There is a (film) chamber, business community who will take care of it,” he added.

Upset with Rajinikanth’s reported statement that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing in toto, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has announced it would not allow screening of ‘Kaala’, due for release on June 7, in the state.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to reaffirm the commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet and pledge to beat the plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution is also the theme of the World Environment day, being hosted by India on Tuesday.

“On the World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet. India is hosting the global celebrations this year. And we are obligated to bequeathing a greener and eco-friendly legacy to our children,” Kovind said in a tweet.

The Vice President pushed for the plastic ban, saying: “Let us take a pledge to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, the theme of the World Environment Day today. Time has come for every individual to join the campaign to end single-use plastic and protect the environment.”

Modi also took to Twitter to greet the people. “Together, let us ensure that our future generations live in a clean and green planet, in harmony with nature,” he said in a tweet.

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar urged people to vow not to use low-grade plastic.

“Fifteen thousand tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day, 9,000 tonnes is collected and recycled, but 6,000 tonnes of plastic waste is not collected and remain littered,” Javadekar said.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad emphasised on raising awareness for “a cleaner and greener environment that can lead us to sustainable development”.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also urged people to pledge to “beat plastic pollution”.

The Congress also took to Twitter, pledging to protect and preserve the Environment, saying, “the Earth doesn’t belong to us but, we belong to the Earth”.

Addresses opening session of 49th Governors’ Conference

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the institution of Governor has a pivotal role to play within the federal structure and Constitutional framework of our country.

Addressing the opening session of the 49th Conference of Governors at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday, he spoke at length about how Governors could leverage their experience in different walks of life so that people derive maximum benefit of various central development schemes and initiatives.

He said Governors of States with significant tribal population can help in ensuring that the tribal communities benefit from Government initiatives in fields such as education, sports, and financial inclusion.

He said the tribal communities had played a key role in the freedom struggle, and this should be recognized and recorded for posterity through avenues such as digital museums.

The Prime Minister noted that Governors are also Chancellors of Universities. He said that International Yoga Day on June 21st can be utilized as an opportunity to generate greater awareness about Yoga among the youth. Similarly, he emphasized that Universities can also become the focal point of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Prime Minister mentioned some key themes of development such as the National Nutrition Mission, electrification of villages and development parameters in aspirational districts. He suggested that Governors could also visit a few recently electrified villages to witness first-hand the benefits of electrification.

He said that during the recent Gram Swaraj Abhiyan from 14th April, seven key schemes of the Government were implemented fully in over 16,000 villages. He said that these villages have been freed from seven problems through Jan Bhagidaari. He said Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is now being extended to 65000 more villages, with a target date of 15th August.

He suggested that planning for the 50th Governors’ Conference next year should begin immediately. This effort should focus on making this annual event even more productive.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw