After the unveiling of the statues of Kannada saint-poet Sarvajna in Chennai and Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar in Bangalore, the Karnataka Government now hopes to cement the ties between the two States by resolving the dispute over the implementation of a drinking water project by the neighbouring State at Hogenakkal.
Minister for Home V.S. Acharya told presspersons here on Friday that the State Government would like to discuss with the Tamil Nadu Government a proposal to set up a hydroelectricity project at Hogenakkal, on the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.
The Government would like to hold talks with the Tamil Nadu Government on both the drinking water scheme and the hydel power project utilising Cauvery waters.
A delegation led by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would be visiting Chennai soon to resolve the controversy over the drinking water project, he said. “We want to take a delegation to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to discuss these issues and resolve them. I will talk to our Chief Minister,” Dr. Acharya said.
The State Government believes that its proposal, if accepted, would result in a win-win situation for both the States. Karnataka would tackle its electricity shortage by setting up the power project while Tamil Nadu would get water to solve its perennial drinking water problem. The Karnataka Government would ensure the neighbouring State that setting up of the power project would not lead to submergence of land belonging to Tamil Nadu, Dr. Acharya said.
Following Karnataka's reservations on the Hogenakkal drinking water project, the Karunanidhi Government has been opposing the proposed Shivanasamudram run-of-the river hydel plant project at Mekedatu.
Criticised
Last week, Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai criticised Tamil Nadu, accusing it of deviating from the original plan of the Hogenakkal project, which was refuted by Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
The State Government wishes to maintain good relations with other States as well the Centre. The dispute on the project will be resolved by holding talks, Dr. Acharya said.
