DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to convene an all-party meeting and an Assembly session to discuss Karnataka’s decision to build two dams across the Cauvery at Mekedatu.
“As it concerns the livelihood of Tamil Nadu farmers”, the government should immediately call an all-party meeting and a special session of the Assembly to adopt a resolution. Tamil Nadu should also file an appeal in the Supreme Court and at the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, he said in a statement.
Though Karnataka had conceived it as a hydel project, the government floated tenders for a drinking water component, which Tamil Nadu farmers feared would deprive them of irrigation water.
“At a time when Karnataka is refusing to release water due to Tamil Nadu, the new dams will further affect the interests of farmers,” he said.
Mr. Karunanidhi said Tamil Nadu should tell Karnataka that no dam could be built without clearance from the Centre and the Cauvery Water Tribunal.
Meanwhile, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the plan went against the final award of the tribunal. He urged the Centre not to allow Karnataka to build any dam across the Cauvery.