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Mysuru (Karnataka), September 11 (Language) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused the BJP-led government at the Center of delaying approval for the construction of the Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the Cauvery river. He also said that the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu is creating “unnecessary problems” in this matter.
Karnataka is pushing for the implementation of the Mekedatu project. He says this is the only solution to the Cauvery water dispute between the two states (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) during the monsoon crisis.
Siddaramaiah said, “The BJP government at the center has not given permission to the Mekedatu project. Tamil Nadu has no reason to oppose this project. This is in our area, Tamil Nadu has been allotted 177.25 TMC of water and we have to release so plenty of water for them in normal years. In times of crisis emergency measures should be followed.”
Speaking to reporters here, he accused Tamil Nadu of creating unnecessary hurdles over the Mekedatu project and said permission was not given despite Karnataka submitting the DPR (detailed project report).
“They (Centre) have to tell the Cauvery Water Management Authority (to give permission), as it falls under the Government of India, but they are not doing that,” he said. State BJP leaders at the all-party meeting said they will not do politics on the issue, but they will “come here and do politics”.
The chief minister was responding to a question on BJP’s criticism of his government’s decision to release water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu despite the river valley region facing the threat of water scarcity due to lack of rainfall in the state.
He said Karnataka is not releasing water to Tamil Nadu happily, but because of orders from CWMA. Siddaramaiah said his government is bound to protect the interests of the state’s farmers and protect the drinking water needs of Mysuru, Bengaluru and several other districts.
Language Prashant Dilip
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This news has been taken from news agency ‘Bhasha’ by ‘auto-feed’. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.
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