New Delhi, July 23: Non-release of water and inadequate supply of foodgrains for drought relief sparked a clash between members of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha during which Tamil Nadu members chipped in to air their woes against Karnataka on the Cauvery water issue. The row was witnessed during Zero Hour when Congress member K B Krishna Murthy said Karnataka was being given step motherly treatment in drought relief which was rebutted by Telugu Desam member saying Karnataka was not releasing its due share of Tungabhadra water to Andhra Pradesh leading to drinking water crisis in several parts of the state.
Murthy alleged the Centre had released only seven lakh tonnes of foodgrains as relief to Karnataka as against 46 lakh tonnes to Andhra Pradesh. "The Centre's decision is politically motivated," he said.
This was countered by Raja Kumar (TDP) through another special mention saying Karnataka was overdrawing water from Tungabhadra denying Andhra Pradesh its due share.
This resulted in heated exchanges between members from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In between, members from Tamil Nadu amidst shouts of "shame, shame" wanted a central direction to Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Amidst shouts and counter-shouts, others members, including senior Congress member Pranab Mukherjee, said the Centre should provide adequate quantum of foodgrains to every state to provide relief from severe drought. Bureau Report