Bengaluru, August 4: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Monday that the state will respond legally to Tamil Nadu’s decision to approach the Supreme Court regarding the Cauvery water dispute. This statement came after a two-hour cabinet meeting held at Vidhana Soudha with newly appointed ministers.
Shivakumar emphasized that Karnataka will adhere to the legal framework governing the distribution of Cauvery water while safeguarding its interests. He stated, “We respect the law and will respond legally. Karnataka has complied with the directives of the Cauvery Water Management Authority within the legal framework, and all political parties in the state have united to protect Karnataka’s interests.”
This cabinet meeting was the first since the swearing-in of 19 new ministers. The agenda also included preparations to tackle severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and drought.
The Chief Minister instructed the new ministers to begin district visits starting Wednesday. They are to assess the impact of heavy rains and drought, compiling detailed reports for the Revenue Minister. He remarked, “We have asked the new ministers to inspect the affected areas and submit reports based on their ground assessments. The government will make decisions based on these reports.”
Shivakumar noted that the cabinet discussed significant challenges facing the state, including drought, drinking water availability, and damage caused by rainfall in several districts. He mentioned that while recent rains have provided temporary relief from the water crisis, the threat of drought is not entirely over.
“The situation had become very serious, but recent rains have offered some temporary relief. Despite the increased water flow, reservoirs like KRS and Hemavathi are not yet full. Rain-related incidents have occurred in Shivamogga and Tirthahalli, and appropriate relief measures will be implemented once reports are received,” he added.
The Chief Minister directed ministers to visit affected areas alongside representatives from all political parties to ensure a transparent assessment of the damage caused by floods and drought. He also announced that the government has already approved ₹1 crore for meeting drinking water needs in each assembly constituency, with further decisions to be made based on district-level reports.
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