Tamil Nadu against Mekedatu project at Cauvery basin
Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam urged the Central government to advise Karnataka not to take up any irrigation, hydro power projects including the proposed Mekedatu drinking water project in Cauvery basin
Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday urged the Central government to advise Karnataka not to take up any irrigation, hydro power projects including the proposed Mekedatu drinking water project in Cauvery basin as it violated the final orders of the Cauvery water disputes tribunal and affected the interests of the state’s farmers, a release said.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Paneerselvam drew his attention to media reports that Karnataka had invited global expression of interest for a technical feasibility study for the construction of two reservoirs at Mekedatu to store additional water.
“Karnataka has been repeatedly violating the final order of the tribunal seriously jeopardising the rights of the lower riparian state of TN affecting lakhs of farmers. The latest is the proposal for two reservoirs at Mekedatu,” he said. He pointed out the TN government had filed an interlocutory application in the Supreme Court to restrain the government of Karnataka from executing the Mekedatu hydro electric project unilaterally and it should only be executed comprehensively with Sivasamudhram, Mekedatu, Hogenakkal, and Rasimanal hydro electric projects as envisaged by the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation or any other appropriate central authority.
“I request you to instruct the ministry of environment and forests and the ministry of water resources not to give clearance to any project of Karnataka without consulting the TN government,” the CM said. He reiterated the state’s demand for formation of Cauvery management board and water regulation panel to implement the tribunal’s order.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
