Chennai: With the neighbouring Karnataka continuing to oppose the composition of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami chaired a high level meeting on Friday to assess the situation and also gear up for the July 2 meeting in New Delhi of all member states. The meeting, summoned by the Centre, will be the first such one of the Authority after its constitution was notified earlier this month. Central Water Commission chairman S. Masood Hussain has been appointed as the chairman of CWMA.
Tamil Nadu would be represented by the PWD secretary S. K. Prabhakar, who has been appointed as the member of the Authority. The meeting convened by Mr. Palaniswami was attended among others by Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam, Ministers and senior officials.
According to sources, Tamil Nadu would insist upon the Centre to implement the Feb. 16 verdict of the Supreme Court on Cauvery water disputes in letter and spirit and also demand the Authority to commence its work immediately. Any delay, would not only tantamount to violating the Supreme Court judgment but also marring the prospects of Tamil Nadu farmers. The government would also urge the Authority to ensure water is released into the Mettur dam to facilitate agricultural activities in the Cauvery delta areas.
Sources also informed that the State government would stress the need to link Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Palar, Cauvery, Vaigai, etc. to harness the excess water.
