Bengaluru: A day after the Cauvery delta region’s powerful farmer leader G. Made Gowda reportedly expressed displeasure over the release of water to Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Minister, D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday announced that the state government was forming Water Advisory Committees headed by the respective district ministers in the state.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr Shivakumar said, “Minor irrigation minister, C. S. Puttaraju will be heading the KRS Water Advisory committee, similarly, Backward Communities Minister, C. Puttaranga Shetty will be heading the Kabini panel, Ramesh Jarakiholi will head Ghataprabha-Malaprabha, Sa. Ra, Mahesh, Harangi, Animal Husbandry Minister, Venkatrao Nadagouda will head the Tungabhadra committee and PWD minister, H. D. Revanna will head the Hemavathi panel.” The minister maintained that the decision was taken after due consultations with CM H.D. Kumaraswamy.
In response to a question, Mr Shivakumar conceded that he had a hearty chat with Mr Made Gowda. “I do respect Mr Made Gowda’s seniority and his concern for our state. But law and emotions are two different things. We as a government have to follow the law,” he said cryptically hinting that water from the reservoirs will continue to flow to TN.
He quickly added that the state had released only 18 TMC ft of water to Tamil Nadu so far from its reservoirs against the norm of 40 TMC ft.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader from Mandya disclosed that Mr Made Gowda had expressed concerns over the state letting water from its reservoirs to TN. “Mr Gowda has appealed to both Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Shivakumar to file petition against the Cauvery Water Monitoring Authority. Although, the state is receiving good rains now, what if the rain fail in August-September? This is the time when crops need more water in the state, hence the state need to take steps to store waters now,” the source said quoting Mr Made Gowda.
The source added that only after the conversation with Made Gowda did Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Shivakumar arrive at the decision to constitute these water advisory committees headed by the respective district ministers.
