Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said that he had impressed upon the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to ensure the release of Puducherry’s share of Cauvery water to Karaikal region.
Speaking to The Hindu here on Saturday he said his government was on right course to get it share. He explained the requirement of water for the farmers of Karaikal region to start samba cultivation when he met her at New Delhi recently. But the problem was that several part of Delta region in Tamil Nadu were yet to receive Cauvery water. The farmers of the region were also keeping their fingers crossed due to the non arrival of water.
Mr. Rangasamy added that he had personally undertaken spot visit to Karaikal and several Delta areas in Tamil Nadu to see the ground situation. A total drought situation was prevailing in the region. No one had started farming operation even in Chidambaram area.
Asked about the prospects of Samba cultivation this season, he said the next few weeks would be crucial for taking up samba cultivation. It was depended upon the release of water from Karnataka. The northwest monsoon was expected to begin in the next few days. There would be a hope for raising samba if the monsoon started as per the normal schedule.
Asked about the accusation made by opposition parties that Puducherry government had failed to present the real of pictures for getting the share of Cauvery and failure to bring Central team to Karaikal, the Chief Minister said his government had been following proactive attitude in Cauvery issue. When it was pointed about the absence of the Chief Secretary of Puducherry in the Cauvery Monitoring Committee meeting held in New Delhi a few days ago, he said a Superintending Engineer took part in it.
He added that Puducherry government would work in tandem with the Tamil Nadu government on Cauvery issue. It would take all possible steps to get its share from Karnataka.
Asked whether he was satisfied with the actions taken by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Cauvery issue, Mr. Rangasamy that he had acted in a fair manner to ensure the rights of Karanataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by ordering the release of water from Karnataka in his capacity as the Chairman of Cauvery River Authority. EOM
