Keeping the water wars alive, Karnataka government has decided to not share Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu. The decision was taken at an all-party meet convened by the chief minister on Saturday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to convey to the Supreme Court the state’s inability to release water owing to severe water problem and drought in various parts.
Tamil Nadu government had previously petitioned the Supreme Court demanding a release of 50 tmcft water for irrigation. In its plea for urgent hearing, Tamil Nadu has also charged Karnataka with diverting water for undeclared projects, in violation of the Cauvery Water Tribunal’s orders of 2007.
The case will be heard by Chief Justice TS Thakur on September 2.
The CM pointed that the level of water at Cauvery basin was at 51 tmcft. Over 40 tmcft of it was required to meet drinking needs of Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya etc.
“There has been no rain in the catchment areas. With only 51 tmcft of water, we can’t afford to release water to Tamil Nadu. We have standing crops like sugarcane and we have to meet the irrigation needs of these crops. This is the reality. Fulfilling our drinking water and irrigation needs will leave no water for us at all,” Siddaramaiah said. He added that the government would inform the apex court of the ground situation during the next hearing.
No party countered the view, reported TNIE.
JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy said that state farmers had already received a “big blow” due to drought in 2015, which was the worst in 40 years. Over 800 farmers committed suicide in the state last year.