Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Shivakumar urges early release of Upper Bhadra project grant
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar asked the Union government to provide money promised for the Upper Bhadra Project.
The promised amount is Rs 5,300 crore.
He said the money has not been released and this is slowing the project.
He also said companies should spend more of their CSR money on local needs such as schools and healthcare.
Amit Shah partly agreed and suggested discussing the matter with public sector companies.
Shivakumar also objected to public land being sold after companies using it shut down.
He said the land should be returned to the state government.
He indicated that Karnataka may take legal steps to stop such sales when necessary.
D.K. Shivakumar asked Amit Shah to release the Centre’s announced Rs 5,300 crore grant for the Upper Bhadra Project.
Shivakumar said the grant was announced during the previous BJP government in Karnataka but has not been released.
He urged a policy allowing state governments greater influence over how companies’ CSR funds are spent locally.
Amit Shah partially agreed on CSR concerns and suggested discussions with heads of public sector undertakings.
Shivakumar said land allotted to PSUs that cease operations should return to the state rather than be auctioned.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Shivakumar sought release of a Rs 5,300 crore Upper Bhadra Project grant and raised issues concerning CSR spending and the disposal of land allotted to public sector undertakings.
- When
- At the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting on Thursday.
- Where
- Mahabalipuram.
- Why
- The grant has not been released, affecting the project; Shivakumar also wants CSR funds directed toward local priorities and state-allotted land protected from improper disposal.
Karnataka’s demands
Centre’s response
Upper Bhadra funding
Karnataka’s demands
D.K. Shivakumar said the Centre should release the announced Rs 5,300 crore grant at the earliest because its absence is affecting implementation.
Centre’s response
The article does not report a specific response from Amit Shah on releasing the Upper Bhadra grant.
CSR spending
Karnataka’s demands
Shivakumar proposed giving state governments a role in deciding how CSR funds generated locally are used, especially for education and healthcare.
Centre’s response
Amit Shah partially agreed and advised Shivakumar to discuss the issue with the heads of public sector undertakings.
Land allotted to PSUs
Karnataka’s demands
Shivakumar argued that land provided by state governments should be returned when PSUs shut down, rather than being sold or auctioned, and said Karnataka may take legal measures.
Centre’s response
The article ends after stating that Amit Shah responded to the land issue, without providing the substance of his response.
- Project
- Upper Bhadra Project
- Grant requested
- Rs 5,300 crore
- Meeting
- 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting
- Location
- Mahabalipuram
- CSR priorities cited
- Education and healthcare
- Land concern
- Shivakumar said land allotted to PSUs that shut down should return to the state instead of being auctioned.