Members of various farmers and service organisations staged protests in the city on Monday condemning the reduction in Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water and demanding the immediate constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).
A group of farmers led by Ayilai Sivasuriyan, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, affiliated to the Communist Party of India, and Puliyur A.Nagarajan, president of farmers wing of the Tamil Maanila Congress, staged a demonstration near the Collector’s Office contending that the Supreme Court verdict would adversely affect the interests of farmers of Tamil Nadu.
“Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water has been progressively reduced in the interim and final awards of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal and now by the Supreme Court. At least the CMB should be formed immediately to get Tamil Nadu’s share of water,”Mr.Sivasuriyan said. The protesters presented a petition to the Collector to be forwarded to the government.
Meanwhile, a group of farmers led by P.Viswanathan, president, Tamil Nadu Eri Matttrum Attru Pasana Vivasayigal Sangam, staged a sit-in protest at the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, in the city on the issue. “Standing paddy crops in tail-end areas of various canals in the delta region still require water and the government should get the TN’s share release immediately,” said Mr.Viswanathan.
The CMB should be constituted within six weeks, he demanded and disclosed that members of his organisation would lay siege to the Neyveli Lignite Corporation on February 28 to press the demand. The protesters were persuaded to withdraw the stir by senior PWD officials.
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