Deputy CM Shivakumar refutes reports of govt imposing ‘green cess’ on water bills

BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has refuted reports claiming that the state government is considering imposing a green cess on water bills in towns and cities, and termed it “bogus news” spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“There is no such proposal (of green cess on water bills). It is all bogus news the BJP is trying to create”, he told reporters on Thursday. This comes after reports claimed that in order to save the eco-sensitive Western Ghats, the Forest Department will be proposing a green cess of “Rs 2 or 3” to raise a corpus fund meant for the conservation of Western Ghats.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says,” There is no such proposal (of green cess on water bills). It is all bogus news the BJP is trying to create.” pic.twitter.com/F0HXtQD898

— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2024

The Western Ghats are not only a bio-diversity site but are also the source of many rivers including Tunga, Bhadra, Cauvery, Kabini, Hemavati, Krishna, Malaprabha, Ghatprabha and other rivers. These rivers supply water to many urban and rural areas in the state. The Western Ghats play a significant role in intercepting monsoon winds, resulting in widespread rainfall across the country.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that the BJP offered Rs 50 crore to Congress MLAs to “destabilise” the Karnataka government. Backing his remark, he told reporters on Thursday, “I said what they did previously. I said they tried to destabilise the govt by offering Rs 50 crore, in which they couldn’t succeed”.

On being asked about Siddaramaiah’s allegation, D K Shivakumar said, “We will speak with CM and come back to you (media) on this”. (ANI)