Tamil Nadu Delegation’s Mission to Delhi
A prominent delegation from Tamil Nadu, led by Water Resources Minister Duraimurgan, arrived in the National Capital on Monday for a crucial meeting with Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The primary agenda of this meeting revolves around addressing the long-standing Cauvery water sharing dispute with neighboring Karnataka.
Demand for Action on Cauvery Water Issue
Minister Duraimurugan highlighted the urgency of the matter, stating, “Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has already recommended that the Karnataka Government release 5000 cusecs of water for 15 days. However, the Karnataka Government has not taken any action in this regard. They are not releasing even a drop of water. Therefore, the Union Jal Shakti Minister should issue a directive or order to the Karnataka Government. That is why we are going to meet him.”
Asserting Tamil Nadu’s Right to Cauvery Water
The DMK Minister emphasized that requesting water from the Cauvery is a rightful claim, as clearly outlined in the Supreme Court’s verdict. He refuted Karnataka’s stance that water should only be released when there is an abundance due to rainfall, asserting that the Supreme Court has ruled that even in times of scarcity, water must be allocated to Tamil Nadu according to the prescribed schedule.
Minister Duraimurugan accused Karnataka of failing to adhere to both the Supreme Court’s directives and those of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
The Role of Cauvery Water Management Authority
He clarified, “It was not us who instructed the Karnataka Government to provide us with our due water. After assessing the status of dams in Karnataka, the Supreme Court appointed the Cauvery Water Management Authority, which subsequently issued orders for the release of water shared by both states.”
Recent Developments
In a recent development, the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) directed Karnataka to release an additional 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for an extended period of 15 days. The ongoing dispute over Cauvery water allocation continues to be a significant concern for both states, and the delegation’s meeting in Delhi aims to find a resolution to this contentious issue.
