New Delhi, July 29: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Thursday that he has invited Tamil Nadu‘s Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to visit the Cauvery catchment areas. He offered to arrange a helicopter tour for Vijay to personally assess the current water situation in the state.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for a high-level bilateral meeting between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments regarding the Cauvery water dispute. This meeting is scheduled for August 3 at 2 PM, as confirmed by top sources.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar stated, “We have requested Chief Minister Vijay to observe the status of our Cauvery catchment area. I informed him that if necessary, a helicopter would be arranged for him to witness the ground reality.”
The Chief Minister noted that Vijay had expressed interest in discussing the Cauvery issue and had communicated his intentions through formal letters and phone calls.
According to Shivakumar, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has written to Karnataka’s Chief Secretary and also discussed the potential meeting over the phone.
He remarked, “Chief Minister Vijay has shown interest in conversing with me. He has written to our Chief Secretary and has spoken to me over the phone. We have honored him as a fellow Chief Minister and invited him for discussions.”
Emphasizing the need for good relations between neighboring states, Shivakumar stated that it is the state’s responsibility to welcome visiting dignitaries with proper respect.
He added, “It is our duty to welcome any guest coming to our state with respect, which is why I invited him, and all necessary arrangements are being made.”
Shivakumar highlighted the importance for Tamil Nadu’s leadership to understand the real conditions of Karnataka’s Cauvery Basin, especially during a time when the state is facing significant rainfall shortages.
He said, “He should experience the situation firsthand. Let’s see what decision he makes after witnessing the ground reality.”
The Chief Minister suggested that if this visit occurs, it could foster better understanding and harmony between the two states regarding the sensitive Cauvery issue.
Shivakumar further stated, “I don’t know what he is thinking, but he has shown interest in meeting us, so it is our responsibility to invite him. Let him come, and we will discuss this matter.”
Despite significant rainfall shortages in the Cauvery Basin this year, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. This directive has escalated tensions surrounding the water-sharing dispute.
The upcoming meeting on August 3 will take place in the conference hall on the third floor of Vidhana Soudha. It is expected to include Chief Ministers Shivakumar and Vijay, along with ministers and senior officials from both states.
According to official sources, extensive preparations are being made at the venue, including cleaning, lighting, air-conditioning checks, and possibly changing the flooring before the event.
This meeting is particularly significant as it marks the first direct bilateral talks between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments regarding the Cauvery issue in over a decade.
The last such meeting between the two Chief Ministers took place in November 2012 in Bengaluru, aimed at resolving the water-sharing dispute, but no agreement was reached.
The Karnataka government has already announced its intention to challenge the CWRC’s directive before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), citing limited water storage in reservoirs and the need to meet drinking water requirements in several districts.
Leave a Comment