Water being released to Tamil Nadu as per distress formula: Siddaramaiah

MYSURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday clarified that the state government had decided to convey that there was inadequate water in reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, but water was being released to Tamil Nadu as per the distress formula.

He told the media here: “The capacity of all four reservoirs is 114 TMC feet, and the live capacity is 104 TMC feet, but currently we have only 50 TMC feet. As much as 40 TMC feet of water is needed for drinking water purpose for Mysuru, Bengaluru, and villages en route. We are left with just 10 TMC feet of water. It is again a distress year for us. For Tamil Nadu there is no distress. That state has 34 TMC feet of water in Mettur dam. They are asking water for irrigation when we need it for drinking. Tamil Nadu has sought water, which they would seek during a normal year in the Supreme Court. So, we are instructing our advocates to convey the ground reality to Supreme Court.” When asked about 9600 cusecs of outflow from KRS when the inflow was just 6500 cusecs, and 2000 cusecs in Kabini, he said: “We cannot say we will not release water at all to Tamil Nadu. We need to release some water as per the distress formula. And water is being released in proportion to the inflow as per the distress formula.”

When asked about alternative plans for standing crops for farmers in basic area, he said, “We had instructed farmers to cultivate semi dry crops, but some farmers have not agreed. We will give them water as long as there is water.”

Asked if a special session would be convened to discuss GST, just like other states, he said “We have not decided yet, but we are supporting it (GST)”