TN all-party meet agrees to move SC if needed, slam K’taka govt
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin convened an all-party meeting to address Karnataka’s refusal to release Cauvery water as recommended by the Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority (CWRA). The meeting unanimously condemned Karnataka’s stance and resolved to pursue legal avenues if necessary.
Leaders from Tamil Nadu’s legislative parties decided to approach the Supreme Court if needed to secure Cauvery water from Karnataka. CM Stalin affirmed the state’s determination, stating, “If Karnataka fails to comply, we are prepared to approach the Supreme Court once again to ensure justice for Tamil Nadu,” emphasizing the state’s commitment to safeguarding its water rights.
A resolution adopted at the meeting strongly condemned the Karnataka government for not releasing water as per the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s directive of one TMC ft. daily. Another resolution urged the Cauvery Water Management Authority to enforce compliance with the orders of the Cauvery Tribunal and the Supreme Court.
CM Stalin expressed grave concern over Karnataka’s refusal to abide by CWRA recommendations despite adequate rainfall this year. “Last year, due to Karnataka’s non-compliance, we were compelled to approach the Supreme Court to secure our rightful share of Cauvery water,” he remarked, highlighting the critical nature of water access for Tamil Nadu’s agricultural needs.
Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan and representatives from AIADMK, Congress, BJP, PMK, CPM, CPI, MDMK, MMK, KDMK, and TVK participated in the meeting, sharing their views on the issue.
Tensions have escalated due to Karnataka’s recent decision to restrict Cauvery water releases, citing local water scarcity concerns. This move has exacerbated longstanding grievances between the two states over equitable water distribution, severely impacting Tamil Nadu’s agricultural sector.
Earlier, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, expressed openness to dialogue but emphasized Karnataka’s need to manage its water resources effectively. “We will cooperate in whatever way we can,” Shivakumar assured, indicating his readiness for constructive engagement despite ongoing disagreements over water sharing.
Shivakumar, who also serves as the state’s Water Resources Minister, informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that 1.5 TMC ft. of water is flowing to Biligundlu in Tamil Nadu daily, with increased inflow into the four major reservoirs in the Cauvery river basin following good rains in the catchment areas. “If things continue this way, the problem in releasing water to Tamil Nadu may probably get sorted out,” he said.
The Cauvery water dispute, a perennial flashpoint between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, remains a pressing concern despite intermittent efforts at resolution. Tamil Nadu’s condemnation of Karnataka’s decision to restrict Cauvery water releases adds to the ongoing tensions.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, after an all-party meeting on Sunday, stated that the government was ready to release 8,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu daily, instead of one TMC ft. (11,500 cusecs).
