DMK President M K Stalin has urged the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, not to approve the detailed project report Karnataka for the construction of a reservoir at Mekedatu against the orders of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal and Supreme Court of India.
In his letter to the Prime Minister, which was personally handed over to him in Delhi by DMK MPs, T R Baalu, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, A Raja, Trichi Siva and Dayanidhi Maran on Tuesday, Stalin said: ‘I am disappointed that the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka during his meeting with you demanded for early approvals and clearances for irrigation and drinking water projects including Mekedatu.’
Pointing out that Tamil Nadu had expressed ‘strongest opposition’ for the projects, he said the proposed Mekedatu reservoir was in total violation of the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal dated February 5, 2007 as well as the judgment of the Supreme Court of India dated February 16, 2018.
The farmers and people of Tamil Nadu had been consistently and persistently opposing the reservoir and the State Assembly had passed unanimous resolutions disapproving the project, he said, adding that the civil appeal filed by the state of Tamil Nadu seeking a restraint order was pending before the Supreme Court, making the subject matter sub judice.
‘The Proposed Mekedatu reservoir under the guise of drinking water purpose would irreparably and irreversibly affect the flow of water from river Cauvery to the lower riparian States- particularly Tamilnadu and also threatens the very existence of many combined water supply schemes catering to the needs of lakhs of people. Very importantly, it would drastically disturb and affect the distribution of water to Tamilnadu as per the allocation of water in the final order notified in the Gazette,’ the letter said.
Stalin requested the Prime Minister to instruct the Central Ministries concerned not to give approval for the detailed project report and the construction of the reservoir.
