No talks with Karnataka: Farmers urge Vijay to reject Mekedatu discussion invite
Representatives of several farmers' organisations in Tamil Nadu on Sunday urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to reject Karnataka's invitation for bilateral talks on the
Representatives of several farmers' organisations in Tamil Nadu on Sunday urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to reject Karnataka's invitation for bilateral talks on the proposed dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu and other river water issues. They said such discussions should take place only through the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). The demand came even as Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister Vinoth stepped back from his earlier statement on the Chief Minister's proposed visit to Bengaluru. After earlier saying Vijay would travel to Bengaluru on August 3, the minister later told reporters to wait for an official announcement. Read Full Story The Mekedatu issue is a long-running dispute in which Karnataka wants to build a balancing reservoir and drinking water project across the Cauvery River at Mekedatu, while Tamil Nadu opposes it, arguing that it could reduce downstream water flows and violate the existing Cauvery water-sharing arrangement, and affecting farmers.
Addressing a meeting of district office-bearers of a farmers' coordination committee in Mayiladuthurai, farmers' leader PR Pandian said, "Tamil Nadu Chief Minister must reject the Karnataka Chief Minister's invitation". According to the farmers, direct talks could lead to unrest. "In the past, when such talks were called, contradictions arose, clashes have erupted," Pandian added. He said all water-sharing discussions must be strictly routed through the CWMA. "The Tamil Nadu chief minister going to Karnataka to talk about Karnataka's plan for a dam in Mekedatu and water release is legally invalid. It is invalid as per the Supreme Court order. It is invalid as per the Constitution," Pandian said. Referring to the 2013 Supreme Court directives and the later setting up of the CWMA, he added, "Since the Authority is functioning under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, there is no use in any state chief ministers meeting to talk." The farmers' leaders also voiced concern over reports that Tamil Nadu vehicles were being stopped at the Hosur-Bengaluru border, alleging that this was a deliberate attempt to provoke linguistic sentiments.
Speaking to reporters in Thanjavur, Minister Vinoth briefly responded to questions on the proposed Karnataka visit. Asked about conflicting information on the trip, he said, "Official announcements will come from the head office." The minister was in Thanjavur to inaugurate a project to desilt 6 km of drainage canals with Corporate Social Responsibility funds at an estimated cost of Rs 70 lakh, as well as another drive to remove water hyacinth from water bodies. In sum, farmers' groups have opposed any direct talks with Karnataka on Mekedatu and other Cauvery issues, insisting that the matter be handled only through the CWMA, while the state government has said any decision on the chief minister's Bengaluru visit will be announced officially.
The BriefWire