Chennai: The southern states on Thursday supported Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s suggestion to resolve pending water disputes through dialogue during a southern chief ministers’ meet where the delimitation issue was raised by the participating state governments.
At the 31st meeting of the South Zonal Council, Shah batted for the early resolution of inter-state water-related issues and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana agreed to resolve matters related to the division of assets and liabilities through consultations, an official release said.
Delimitation, an issue on which most southern states are on the same page, prominently figured in the meeting, with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu stressing that status quo of 543 Lok Sabha seats be maintained for another 25 years.
Shah observed that protecting the interests of one’s state was not wrong.
However, if the process of protecting interests results in states being deprived of water for years while it simply flows into the sea, then no actual interest is being served.
He said that linking of major rivers, from the Brahmaputra to the Cauvery and Godavari, could ensure that India faces no water shortage for the next 100 years.
“This initiative could also facilitate the creation of multiple waterways, which would not only save fuel and improve the environment but also provide a cost-effective transportation system,” he said.
Shah said that in north India, five out of the eight issues related to sharing of river waters had been persisting since the pre-British era.
A final agreement was reached five months ago, and by resolving 100 per cent of the issues, spanning from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh, a dispute-free north India has been achieved.
Further, Shah said that the southern states are the main pillars of the country’s progress, and their progress depends on water.
Whether it is agriculture, industry, healthy citizens or the environment, water is the soul of this region in all these four areas.
Chairing the meeting, Shah emphasised the need for the early resolution of pending water issues through joint meetings involving the Union Ministries of Jal Shakti, Home Affairs, the Inter-State Council, and the respective states.
He underscored fighting against drugs, malnutrition and stunting.
The Southern Zonal Council comprises the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
It serves as an excellent forum for resolving issues and disputes between the Centre and the member States/UTs, the Centre said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Dy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, the chief ministers of Keralam and Karnataka, V D Satheesan and D K Shivakumar, respectively, among others participated.
With his state locked in a dispute with Tamil Nadu over the Mekedatu dam proposal, Shivakumar told TN that its interests would be protected if the reservoir is constructed.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said he committed, in Shah’s presence, that the interests of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would be protected regarding the proposed Mekedatu dam issue.
Holding five tmc ft of water for drinking water supply, the rest will be shared with Tamil Nadu, he said.
