Activists demand separate post of Water Resources Minister for projects in north Karnataka

Activists in Vijayapura demanded that the State government should create a separate post of Water Resources Minister for projects in north Karnataka and appoint a local legislator for the post.This will ensure speedy completion of pending projects, the activists have written to the State government.In the letter, Krishna Kolla Jal Sanrakshana Horata Samiti members Krishna Kolhar Kulkarni, farmers’ leader Aravind Kulkarni, and others have urged the government to appoint a separate Minister in north Karnataka.Successive governments have failed to give priority to completing irrigation projects in the region, including those in Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts. Farmers of north Karnataka continue to suffer despite the region having major reservoirs and untapped rivers, they stated in the letter.The government has constructed large reservoirs in north Karnataka but has failed to ensure adequate water for farmers. Vijayapura district, in particular, has been neglected. Reservoirs such as Almatti, Tungabhadra and Hidkal had not brought expected benefits to farmers in the region. This is mostly because successive governments have appointed leaders from south Karnataka as irrigation Ministers. These leaders have failed to give adequate attention to issues in the north.Decades ago, MLA B.S. Patil Managuli was given a separate Water Resources portfolio for north Karnataka. But the arrangement lasted only six months. Such an appointment needs to be done again, they said. Published - September 06, 2026 07:37 pm IST