In response to recommendations from the Cauvery Water Control Committee, Karnataka is under pressure to release 1 Thousand Million Cubic feet (TMC) of water to Tamil Nadu daily. This directive has prompted an emergency meeting of the Water Resources Department scheduled at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence on Friday.
The meeting, set to include Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar, senior department officials, and the Minister of Cauvery Valley, will convene at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s home office Krishna at 3 pm.
The development comes amidst Karnataka’s assertion of severe water scarcity, with the state government previously stating its inability to release water to Tamil Nadu even under central directives.
Responding to allegations by the BJP that Karnataka is diverting Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuted the claims, stating, “That’s all lies. We can only release water if we have it. When there’s no water to release, we won’t give a drop to Tamil Nadu or anyone else, even if they ask.”
Siddaramaiah emphasized that Karnataka would not comply with any directive from the Centre to release water due to the prevailing water shortage in the state.
The longstanding dispute over Cauvery waters between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has been a contentious issue, with the river being vital for the livelihoods of people in both states.
Sources By Agencies
