The State government will take stock of the outcome of the meeting of the Cauvery Management Authority (CMA) — which on Monday directed Karnataka to release 34 tmcft of water — after the presentation of the State Budget on July 5.
While sources in the Chief Minister’s office said the government is at present assessing the situation, Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the government will invite political representatives and farm leaders from the Cauvery basin area for a meeting to discuss the fallout, between July 6 and July 10.
Speaking to presspersons, he said the decision would be based on the problems of Tamil Nadu farmers and the needs of Karnataka farmers. There will be a discussion on the way forward for the State and the current availability of water. “The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) is also meeting on July 5 where we will present our case. All developments will be assessed.” He, however, said he would offer his comments on the authority’s decision after holding discussions with the State’s representative in the authority, Rakesh Singh.
Incidentally, Karnataka has decided to take legal recourse on the constitution of the CMA and the CWRC by approaching the Supreme Court.
According to sources in the Chief Minister’s office, the government is expecting the issue to come up before the legislature. “Since the session is currently under way, the government is expecting a discussion on the floor of the House to which the Chief Minister is likely to respond,” sources said. “There is no need to panic. More than 25 tmcft of water has been released to Tamil Nadu from Kabini reservoir in the last 20 days. Water is flowing already and will continue to flow,” they noted.
Meanwhile, former Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday suggested formation of a technical advisory committee to assist Karnataka’s representatives in the CWRC and the CMA on a daily basis. “An ad hoc situation will not work and the State has to be careful with the Cauvery issue,” Mr. Bommai told reporters here. He said that the advisory committee should monitor the ground realities and advice the representatives that would help the State take a correct stand. Mr. Bommai also said that the State government should take the legal route to protect the farmers in the Cauvery basin, and the BJP would support the government in this connection.
