No compromise on Cauvery rights: Tamil Nadu on Karnataka's Mekedatu dam proposal
The Tamil Nadu government will not compromise on the state's rights over Cauvery river water or on farmers' livelihoods in relation to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu
The Tamil Nadu government will not compromise on the state's rights over Cauvery river water or on farmers' livelihoods in relation to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project, Minister N Anand said on Monday. He said the government remained firmly committed to protecting farmers and safeguarding Tamil Nadu's historical water rights. Anand, who holds the Rural Development and Water Resources portfolio, said the government had taken several steps after Karnataka renewed its push for the balancing reservoir project. These included consultations with legal experts, discussions with senior officials and a move before the Green Tribunal.
He also said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed the state's opposition to the project. Read Full Story The minister said the Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on June 19 after accepting the opposition DMK's demand for the formation of a tribunal. He said the tribunal was a strategic move to ensure that Karnataka and the Union government could not proceed unilaterally with the Mekedatu dam project. Anand also said the government's position was that the 2018 Supreme Court verdict had secured Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water and that no new tribunal could change this.
He clarified that the Cauvery Water Management Authority had not rejected Karnataka's Detailed Project Report, but had returned it to the Central Water Commission without comments, which meant the risk remained. DMK minister EV Velu said his party had decided to cooperate with the new government on the issue, and that the Leader of the Opposition had moved a necessary amendment to strengthen the state's legal position. Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the tribunal was meant specifically to deal with issues linked to the construction of the Mekedatu dam and water-sharing concerns.
Tamil Nadu has opposed Karnataka's plan to build the balancing reservoir at Mekedatu, saying it would affect the state's interests. The project is meant to meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs and also generate hydel power, and the state government said it would continue its efforts to protect Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water. Ends
The BriefWire