Despite waiting for three days since Sunday in the capital, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar was denied appointment by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the latest development on the Cauvery issue.
Mr. Shettar left for Bangalore on Tuesday afternoon. PMO sources said the Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA), could not review his own order, even if he wished to, as the Act would not allow this without getting the approval of the CRA. Official sources in the Karnataka government said the Chief Minister, who waited for the PM’s appointment after landing here on Sunday evening, wrote a letter to Dr. Singh seeking his immediate intervention and review of his September 19 order directing Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from September 19 to October 15.
When The Hindu contacted him over phone, Mr. Shettar said he did not want to answer questions on the Tamil Nadu government deciding to file a contempt petition against the Karnataka government or DMK chief M. Karunanidhi’s demand to impose Article 356.
Deve Gowda invites Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi
Special Correspondent from Bangalore writes:
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has invited Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Mr. Karunanidhi to visit Karnataka and see for themselves the plight of farmers and people. “I will personally receive them if they come.” Mr. Gowda told The Hindu on Tuesday that Tamil Nadu leaders should come to Karnataka and assess the ground realities.
The people of Karnataka were dependant on the Cauvery water not only for their irrigation requirements but also drinking water needs.
Water release stopped to inspect canals
Staff Correspondent from Mandya writes:
Hours after the Tamil Nadu government announced that it will file a contempt of court petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for stopping the release of the water, officials of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. clarified that the action was “temporary and just to check the condition of the canals” in the district.
