Minister to seek additional ₹300 crore for irrigation works in Kalyana Karnataka region

The Minor Irrigation Department plans to seek additional funds of ₹300 crore for development works in the Kalyana Karnataka region after discussions with the Finance Department, said Minister for Minor Irrigation Ajay Singh.

Speaking to presspersons here on Saturday, Dr. Singh said 13 minor irrigation projects worth ₹200 crore were taken up during the 2025-26 financial year through the Minor Irrigation Department and the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board.

Dr. Singh said a meeting with officials would be held within a week to assess water scarcity in rural areas and identify locations where borewells and open wells needed to be drilled to address the water shortage.

Defending the increase in the price of Nandini milk, the Minister said that the decision was taken to protect dairy farmers who are facing rising production costs and the impact of drought.

He said the cost of milk production, packaging and transportation had increased substantially, making it difficult for farmers to sustain dairy operations without adequate returns.

“Is it wrong to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work? Should they continue selling milk at a loss?” he asked.

Of the additional ₹8 collected through the price revision, ₹7 would go directly to farmers, while the remaining ₹1 would be allocated to the milk producers’ cooperative, the Minister claimed.

Dr. Singh maintained that Nandini milk continued to be cheaper in Karnataka than in several other States. Even after the price revision, milk prices in Karnataka remained ₹4 to ₹10 lower than those in many States, he claimed.

Criticising the BJP-led Union government, the Minister said Karnataka was not receiving the financial assistance it was entitled to. Despite seeking at least ₹20,000 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Force to tackle the drought situation, the State had not received a favourable response, he said, accusing the Centre of adopting a “step-motherly approach” towards Karnataka.

He also pointed out that the rising prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas had increased the financial burden on common people.

The Minister termed the protests organised by the BJP and Janta Dal (Secular) against the milk price revision as politically motivated.