Chennai: With the Cauvery water sharing row
escalating, Tamil Nadu government today made it clear that it
would not allow construction of a new dam by Karnataka at
Mekedhatu across the river under "any circumstances."
Replying to a special mention on the water dispute in the
Assembly, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa accused Karnataka of not
honouring the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award.
She said Karnataka makes all efforts to first fill its
reservoirs and then release only surplus waters to Tamil Nadu.
"I and my government are committed to securing the state`s
rightful share in the Cauvery waters," she said, amid thumping
of desk by the members.
She said Karnataka cannot build a dam at Mekedhatu, about
100 km from Bangalore, without Tamil Nadu`s acceptance. "If
Karnataka tries to build a dam, Tamil Nadu will not allow the
move under any circumstances."
Her assertion comes in the backdrop of tough postures
being adopted by Karnataka leaders on the release of water
from Cauvery to Tamil Nadu.
Accusing Karnataka of using water from its dams for summer
irrigation, she said, as per the final orders of the Tribunal,
Karnataka had used 203 tmc ft of water for irrigation as
against the stipulated 103.24 tmc ft of water.
"Karnataka is also not giving water to Tamil Nadu for its
Kuruvai cultivation (short term) in June and July," she said.
Since Karnataka was utilising water for its summer crops,
during monsoon that state took efforts to fill its reservoirs
and then released water to Tamil Nadu, resulting in Mettur dam
in the state not getting its due share, she said.
Recalling her meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
after she assumed office last year, Jayalalithaa said she had
discussed the issue of notifying the Tribunal`s award and
setting up Cauvery Water Management Board for implementing it.
"But so far, the Centre has not acted on these demands and
Tamil Nadu government has been pressing for them," she said.
The two states are locked in decades-long dispute on
sharing Cauvery waters. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal,
set up by the Centre, had in 2007 given its final award,
allocating 419 tmcft water to Tamil Nadu and 270 tmcft to
Karnataka annually.
However, Karnataka has challenged the award in the Supreme
Court, alleging it gave a raw deal to the state overlooking
its requirements and rights.
PTI
