Thanjavur: Farmers of Cauvery delta districts welcomed the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to Karnataka on Tuesday to release 9.2 tmcft of the river water to Tamil Nadu due for the month of June as per the order of Supreme Court.
The CWMA, which met at New Delhi under the chairmanship of Masood Hussain, Chairman, Central Water Commission, issued the order following demand from Tamil Nadu government to release 9.2 tmcft of water due for June so that Kuruvai (short term crop) could be taken up in the delta.
Tamil Nadu government has also objected to discussing about Mekedatu project at the CWMA meeting, sources told DC.
Welcoming the order of the CWMA, S. Ranganathan, secretary, Cauvery delta farmers welfare association said, "it is a good gesture". However, he cautioned the farmers of the delta, not to entertain hopes to take up 'Kuruvai' depending upon this water. This is not sufficient as water level at Mettur dam stood at only 47-ft now. Unless the level reaches 60-ft, farmers should not try taking up 'Kuruvai'. For this copious showers should greet Karnataka from Southwest monsoon. When Mettur level reaches 60-ft, farmers can think of Kuruvai. But water from Karnataka which is due for June is welcome and we thank CWMA for asking Karnataka to release the water," said Mr. Ranganathan.
P. Maniarasan, coordinator, Cauvery Urimai Meetpu Kuzhu, said that CWMA should have powers to lift shutters of reservoirs and release water. There is no point in ordering Karnataka as it seldom respects order from court or CWMA. Reservoirs should come under the control of CWMA.
Maniarasan further said that it was intriguing why Tamil Nadu had not asked for water due from January to May which is about 19.5 tmcft of water as per Supreme Court order.
They should have asked for it. Then only we can build up storage at Mettur dam and use it for 'Kuruvai'. "Tamil Nadu government should ask for our rights," he said.
V. Jeevakumar, district vice-president of All India Kisan Sabha, (AIKS) said that farmers and farm labourers welcomed the order of CWMA. But it should also see that Karnataka respected it and implemented it. He also said that CWMA should have the powers to regulate reservoirs.
Jeevakumar said that for July, Karnataka had to release more water and during the cultivation period from June to October-end, the CWMA should meet periodically and ensure flow of water due for Tamil Nadu during these months.
"It met at a crucial time and ordered Karnataka to release water. Our wish is it should function as an effective and powerful Authority," said farmers.
