CHENNAI: The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday reiterated that the state was not in a position to release water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu as directed by the Supreme Court. He said the current availability in the reservoirs would be just enough to meet drinking water requirements. On a day of hectic developments, Siddaramaiah met with leaders of various political parties and the State Governor in Bengaluru in the morning after which he flew to New Delhi to meet Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti to explain Karnataka’s situation.
“I briefed the Minister about our position. We just have 26 tmcft of water in our reservoirs and the Supreme Court has asked us to release a total of 27 tmcft of water. We are not in a position to implement the order of the court,” Mr Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting. “Tamil Nadu is asking water for cultivation; but we are asking water for drinking,” the Chief Minister said, adding that he did not discuss about constitution of the Cauvery Management Board since that was not the prayer before the Supreme Court.
