Karnataka To Go By CWRC, CWMA Direction To Release Water to Tamil Nadu

BENGALURU: Karnataka will comply with the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority upholding direction of the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) to the State to release 3,500 cusecs to Tamil Nadu starting from July 29 for 15-days to Tamil Nadu, stated Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Sunday.

“The State will comply with the order despite the difficult situation arising from deficit rainfall thi season,” said the Chief Minister at a press conference after an all-party meeting on deciding water to Tamil Nadu as per the direction of CWRC and CWMA. He stated “We are closely watching the situation. We respect the sentiments of the people and the law of the country. As orders passed by CWRC and CWMA, we are releasing water to Tamil Nadu.” He exuded confidence that the release of water against the wishes of farmers will not be a problem.

Explaining the grounds for water release to Tamil Nadu by Karnataka, Shivakumar said “Initially we refrained from releasing water from its reservoirs but with improved inflows and the need to ensure dam safety had compelled the State Government to release a limited quantity downstream after maintaining safe reservoir levels.”

“The shadow of drought still prevails in Karnataka. We are examining the drought situation. By August, we hope to have a clear picture on rainfall and take appropriate decisions based on the prevailing ground realities,” Shivakumar said and stated “The Minister of Revenue would thereafter assess the situation in accordance with technical parameters and Government of India before the State Government initiated further decisions on tackling the situation then.”

The all-party meeting was attended by Janata Dal Secular State president and Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, former Chief Ministers-D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Siddaramaiah, Basavaraj Bommai, Veerappa Moily were among prominent leaders.