Namma Neeru' signature campaign launched against water privatisation

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )

January 18, 2014

Mangalore, Jan 18: A group of demonstrators under the banner of 'Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development' staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here on Saturday, against the privatisation of water in the state.

The demonstrators launched 'Namma Neeru' – a signature campaign to petition against privatisation of water in Karnataka.

Addressing the demonstrators, district convenor of the forum Ganesh Kadari said that the intention of the month-long campaign was to collect one lakh signatures as part of the struggle to protest against privatisation of water. The collection of signatures will be submitted to the Chief Minister of Karnataka on February 10, he said.

Through the 'Namma Neeru' campaign, the demonstrators demanded an end to all forms of water privatisation in the state. A new law should be enacted to provide water security to all citizens of the state. Every person should be provided with 135 litres of free water every day. The public water institutions should be strengthened and their functioning should be democratised, said Mr Kadari, adding that privatisation of water would create an artificial water crisis.

Activist Vidya Dinker and several others participated in the demonstration.

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JD(S) leader G T Devegowda backs CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA row, taunts HDK

News Network

October 4,2024

Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).”

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.”

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