Update on 19.08.2009

Bangalore, Aug 19, 2009: The Home Minister of Karnataka Dr. V S Acharya today said that government was maintaining a strict vigil though the threat level has come down in the state. He said that centre and State had been sharing intelligence reports and there was no immediate terror threat to the state.
Addressing the presspersons Dr Acharya said "Despite the situation easing, we are more careful and keeping vigil." Acharya, who participated in the Internal Security Meeting convened by the Centre, said several issues regarding terror activities were discussed but these could not be shared with the media.
Karnataka has asked the Centre to enhance funds for modernisation of police force, he said, adding that last year the state got about Rs 600-crore grant.
Dr Acharya said that Coastal Security police stations across the Karnataka coast were maintaining strict vigil and the government had also sought co-operation from the fishermen in this regard, who are on the constant move across the coastal waters. He said a voluntary outfit ‘Sagar Rakshak Dal’ comprising of fishermen was formed for this purpose who function as informers.
On being asked whether the government will check the activities of right wing outfits, as was being done in the case of Left wing organisations, Acharya said, "Right Wing are nationalist forces. There is no problem with them".
Tribunals in rural areas
Karnataka Government has also decided to set up tribunals at village level, enabling the people to settle their legal disputes, the Home Minister said.
Dr Acharya said a proposal to set up tribunals at village level was made at the conference of state Law and Home Ministers, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held recently. These courts will be functional by Karnataka Rajyotsava day, he said adding that Government had accepted the Centre’s recommendations over appointing judges by the All-India Judicial Commission.
He said a few more tribunals would start functioning from November first this year.
No additional water to TN
Dr V S Acharya refuted reports that Karnataka Government has released additional water to Tamil Nadu, saying that only excess water was being let out from the Krishnarajasagar reservoir.
Excess water is being let out after the dam touched its Full Reservoir Level (FRL), Dr Acharya said, refuting reports that the state was releasing more water acceding to the Tamil Nadu demand.
The FRL, which was hitherto maintained at 124 ft, has been scaled down to 123 ft as per engineers' suggestion, he said, adding, water had reached 123 ft now.
During the August 17 meeting of Energy Secretaries of Southern states held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu had put forth the demand for release of 20 tmc ft water highlighting reports that the KRS was full following good rains in Cauvery catchment areas, he said.