Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Credit: DH Photo
Karnataka is facing a “grim and bleak” situation and the government will urge the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to visit the state to witness the crisis due to rainfall deficit, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Friday.
Karnataka’s move comes even as Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court seeking more water from Cauvery. “I hope (CWMA) will visit us, witness the situation and take a decision,” Shivakumar, the Water Resources minister, said.
At this juncture, Karnataka is not planning to approach the Supreme Court in this issue and will instead seek intervention from the CWMA. This decision was taken after consulting the legal experts, Shivakumar said.
Karnataka will also press for the Mekedatu project, which will help Tamil Nadu, he said. “In fact, this project will help Tamil Nadu, more than Karnataka. All that Karnataka can do is store water and release it to the neighbouring state during distress,” he added.
“Tamil Nadu should empathise with Karnataka as the neighbouring state is aware of the distress we are facing. Last year, they used 80% excess water than prescribed,” Shivakumar said.
Karnataka is committed to protecting the interests of its people while respecting the law, Shivakumar said, explaining that the state is releasing water to Tamil Nadu as specified by the CWMA.
Karnataka has been directed to release 5,000 cusec per day for 15 days starting August 29.
As for the opposition leaders protesting the release of water, Shivakumar said they were free to take their political stand before the media, while the government has already appraised them of the situation at an all-party meeting.
Meanwhile, protests, demanding the government to stop the release of water to Tamil Nadu from the KRS dam, heated up across Mandya district, on Friday.
As the water level dips in the dam, the farmers’ organisations have been staging protests over the last few days, against the state government and Congress, for releasing water to the neighbouring state when the farmers here are in a crisis due to deficit rains.