Law Minister Sadananda Gowda defends Yetinahole project

Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today said that he was committed to the controversial Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project, which was initiated during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister.
Environment activists in Dakshina Kannada have started agitations against the project, aimed at diverting water from Netravathi river during monsoon to other drought-prone districts.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to SDM Law College here to inaugurate the Students Bar Council, Gowda said he had meetings with the officials of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat and decided to undertake this project during his chief ministership.
Gowda, who is from Dakshina Kannada district, said he was very clear that every district should get drinking water.

The minister said he was not commenting on the problems being faced by the state government with increasing protests.
Protestors waved black flags outside the college where the function was going on.
The Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya activists led by its convenor Dinesh Holla staged the protest. The activists were arrested by the police and later released.