The CWRC on Monday recommended that Karnataka release 5,000 cusecs of water from the Biligundlu dam for the next 15 days.
Published Aug 29, 2023 | 7:25 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2023 | 9:24 AM
On August 25, the Supreme Court directed the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to submit a report on the status of the discharge of the river water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu
Karnataka plans to appeal against the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) which, on Monday, 28 August, ordered the release of 5,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu from the Biligundlu dam for the next 15 days.
However, farmers in Tamil Nadu were quick to respond, saying that the 5,000 cusecs were of no use for the samba crops.
Responding to the recommendation, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, told reporters in Mysuru: “The committee has made the recommendation to release 5,000 cusecs of water. We will appeal against this recommendation.”
He added: “There is a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) meeting tomorrow. Until the final decision is reached, I will refrain from providing any reaction.”
Shivakumar also said: “We have made the committee realise the situation of the state. We prioritise the welfare of our farmers and the people of the state, and we respect the law.”
Responding to the CWRC recommendation, BJP leader and Malleswaram MLA Dr CN Ashwath Narayan told South First: “The state government has completely failed to bring the real situation in the state before the CWRC.”
He added: “The Congress government is working towards keeping its INDIA alliance intact by satisfying the DMK.” The DMK is currently in power in Tamil Nadu.
“The tragedy is that the state government has not allowed farmers and people to utilise Cauvery water, but is releasing water to Tamil Nadu. Farmers in the Cauvery basin are under a lot of distress,” said the BJP leader.
“Cauvery is also the lifeline for Bengaluru City, as its residents are largely dependent on this river for drinking water. We will hold this government accountable and ensure the interests of farmers and people of Karnataka are protected,” said Ashwath Narayan.
He added that he would discuss with the party leaders and take a call on launching a protest against the government over the Cauvery issue.
Irrigation expert Captain S Raja Rao told South First: “Karnataka is in a dire situation. The Southwest Monsoon that used to bring heavy rains has gone now. We will not have good rain in the coming days.”
He added: “The CWRC recommendation amounts to releasing nearly 6.5 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu. The Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award clearly states that we need to store water for rabi crops and drinking purposes.”
Rao also said: “Ensuring sufficient water for drinking should be the top priority. Will the CWRC overrule the tribunal award? Where should we go? The Karnataka government should stand firm on its decision about not releasing water.”
Even as Tamil Nadu farmers expressed their dissatisfaction with the CWRC recommendation, officials from the state left for Delhi to participate in the CWMA meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
On 11 August, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department Additional Chief Secretary Sandeep Saxena, during a CWMA meeting, pointed out that 37.9 tmcft of water was the deficit [as per the Supreme Court’s judgement in February 2018] as of 9 August.
He stressed that the CWMA should direct Karnataka to release water on a daily basis.
The Tamil Nadu officials insisted on the immediate release of water to save the “kuruvai” crop in the Cauvery delta region.
However, when Karnataka refused to accept the demands, Tamil Nadu officials walked out of the meeting.
Meanwhile, the farmers say that the action of the Tamil Nadu government is too late.
Speaking to South First, PR Pandian, president of the Tamil Nadu Federation of All Farmers’ Association, said that nearly 2.5 lakh hectares of “Samba” crops had already died without water.
“And this 5,000 cusecs of water will not be sufficient to save the remaining crops. This water could be used only to save the Mettur dam from becoming drier. We need at least 40-50 tmcft of water to save the existing crops in the delta region,” he claimed.
“It is the fault of the Tamil Nadu government. It should have initiated efforts to get the water at the start of July. But the government, for reasons known to it, initiated the process only in August,” he said.
“Why didn’t the government give the letter to the CWMA in July, which they are giving now? Instead, why did it meet the prime minister?” he asked.
Pandian also stated that if Tamil Nadu had approached the CMWA in July and obtained an order, “by now we could have saved at least half of the crops”.
It is to be noted that on 25 August, the Supreme Court directed the CWMA to submit a report on the status of the discharge of the river water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, especially its availability for the next 15 days.
