Cauvery row: We will tell SC about state's distress, says Karnataka minister
BENGALURU: A day after seeking Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s intervention to solve the Cauvery water impasse, law minister T. B. Jayachandra on Saturday declared that Karnataka would essentially argue that dams were not built on its territory across rivers just to release water to neighbouring states but also to protect the interests of local farmers.
He told the media after a meeting of the cabinet here: “The state government is following the Supreme Court’s order on release of water with a heavy heart to Tamil Nadu. Now, we will surely try and draw the apex court’s attention to the question of protecting the state’s interests. Therefore, we are seeking a reprieve from the apex court order by moving an application to seek modification of its earlier order.”
The minister added that seeking a solution to the two-century old problem was always a problem and the state government felt that this issue could only be solved through an amicable settlement between riparian states which must decide unanimously to settle this matter out of the court.
“The ongoing Cauvery problem is two century old. Had Tamil Nadu not opposed the construction of Mekedatu power project, we would not have objected to Hogenakkal project of theirs. This is how the problem has grown and vitiated the atmosphere. The final award of the tribunal also allows us to utilise 70 TMC feet to 100 TMC feet water that directly flows into the sea. But the Tamil Nadu government is opposing it. As quid pro quo, let them build a dam at Hogenakkal and allow us to build Mekedatu project,” he explained.
In response to a question, the minister said the state’s legal team headed by its Advocate General and Technical Team headed by Chief Secretary, Aravind Jadhav, reached New Delhi on Saturday to complete the process of filing an application as well as to face the Cauvery River Supervisory Committee (CRSC). “The CRSC has convened meeting of Cauvery basin states on Monday, which will also be looking into the matter. We are hopeful of getting due justice from both agencies,” he added.
Reacting to the campaign by Opposition parties that the ruling Congress had betrayed the state’s interests, Mr Jaychandra argued that the state government whenever dealt sensitive issues like the Cuavery or Mahadayi, always took everyone into confidence before taking any steps.
Reacting cautiously to Union water resources minister Uma Bharati’s statement on Cauvery water dispute, Mr Jayachandra, asserted that the state government would welcome any gesture intended to help resolve the crisis. “I do not know, when and where she has made any statement. (As I am going by what the media is said to me), If she has made any such statement, the state welcomes it,” he said.
