Minister to seek ₹300 crore for Kalyana Karnataka irrigation works
Minor Irrigation Minister Ajay Singh said the department plans to request additional funds for development works in the region.
Minor Irrigation Minister Ajay Singh said on Saturday that the Minor Irrigation Department plans to seek an additional ₹300 crore for development works in the Kalyana Karnataka region following discussions with the Finance Department.
According to The Hindu, Dr. Singh stated that 13 minor irrigation projects worth ₹200 crore were undertaken during the 2025-26 financial year through the department and the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board.
The Minister said a meeting with officials will be held within a week to assess rural water scarcity and identify locations for drilling borewells and open wells. He also defended the recent Nandini milk price increase, stating it aims to protect dairy farmers facing rising production, packaging, and transportation costs.
Dr. Singh claimed that of the additional ₹8 collected through the price revision, ₹7 would go to farmers and ₹1 would be allocated to the milk producers’ cooperative. He maintained that Nandini milk remains ₹4 to ₹10 cheaper in Karnataka than in several other States.
The Minister accused the BJP-led Union government of a “step-motherly approach” towards Karnataka, noting the State has not received a favourable response to requests for at least ₹20,000 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Force. He also described protests against the milk price revision by the BJP and Janta Dal (Secular) as politically motivated.