As Karnataka awaits the outcome of proceedings of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) meeting scheduled for Monday, political slugfest intensified even as a BJP Member of Parliament called for talks between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to ease the tension in the distress year.
While the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has recommended release of 5,000 cusecs of water daily for 15 days from Karnataka, the State has opposed the recommendation and has not released water that was scheduled by CWRC from September 13. The State, which has sought Centre’s intervention, has indicated its inability to release the water citing shortage for drinking water purpose and the need to save water for the standing crops.
Meanwhile, the BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya - in a letter - urged Tamil Nadu Chief Miniter M.K. Stalin that Tamil Nadu should realise that Karnataka’s water needs include “the water need of lakhs of Tamil people who work and live in Karnataka.” In propagating water rights, it has to be more considerate keeping these migratory trends and realities in mind, he said, pointing to a drinking water crisis which is emerging and drought in nearly 70 % of the taluks in Karnataka. “Tamil Nadu should realise that Karnataka is not holding back water deliberately,” he said.
