Mandya, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Karnataka’s legal battle over the Cauvery River water sharing will continue as the Supreme Court prepares to hear the state’s appeal on September 14. This appeal challenges a ruling that mandates the release of water to Tamil Nadu. Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy provided this update during a press conference in Mandya.
Speaking to reporters, Cheluvarayaswamy noted that legal experts have advised the government that bypassing the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) could lead to the rejection of their appeal. Consequently, the state must continue releasing water to Tamil Nadu until the court’s hearing.
The minister expressed the state’s predicament, highlighting that Karnataka is facing severe water shortages while also being bound by the constitutional framework of federalism and the need to respect court orders. He mentioned that Karnataka has released the least amount of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in the last 20 years and recalled that in similar past situations, the state had released around 35 TMC of water.
“Our government remains committed to protecting the interests of farmers,” Cheluvarayaswamy stated, assuring that officials and the legal team are presenting a strong case in court. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to provide water to farmers’ crops and fill tanks while ensuring that adequate water is preserved in the four major reservoirs of the Cauvery basin for drinking needs from December to June.
On the Cauvery issue, the minister stressed that the government aims to avoid political blame games with the opposition. He urged Karnataka’s BJP MPs and central ministers to work towards obtaining approval for the Mahadayi and Mekedatu projects, which he believes will offer long-term solutions to the state’s water challenges.
Discussions regarding the Mekedatu project have already taken place with the central water resources minister, and Cheluvarayaswamy expressed optimism about receiving approval soon.
Regarding cloud seeding efforts, the minister acknowledged that initial results were not as expected. However, he remains hopeful that favorable weather conditions after the Gauri-Ganesh festival will yield better outcomes in the coming days.
Addressing recent political events and the investigations by tax authorities, Cheluvarayaswamy claimed that as the Lok Sabha elections approach, income tax and Enforcement Directorate raids have become commonplace in Congress-ruled states. He affirmed that state minister Satish Jarkiholi has clarified his involvement in business activities and expressed confidence that he would legally prove his innocence against the allegations.
The minister also celebrated the completion of the government’s first 100 days in office, describing the events as a successful festival for the people. He promised that more people-centric programs and celebrations would take place in Karnataka over the next year and a half.
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