All party meeting to discuss river water issues on August 5: CM

An all-party meeting has been convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 5 to discuss river water issues of the state. The meeting comes in the backdrop of protests demanding release of water from reservoirs for agricultural activities in the Cauvery basin. Speaking to reporters on his arrival at the airport in Mysuru on Saturday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the all-party meeting will discuss issues relating to Cauvery and Mahadayi river waters. In view of the inadequate rainfall this year, the water level in the reservoirs in Cauvery basin had not even reached half their storage capacity. Responding to the agitations for release of water from KRS and Kabini reservoirs by farmers in Cauvery basin in Mysuru and Mandya districts, Mr. Siddaramaiah clarified that he was not holding back the water only to release it to Tamil Nadu. In view of poor storage levels, the first priority will be for drinking water, followed by water for agricultural purpose and later for filling up lakes. About the release of water to Tamil Nadu, the chief minister said a certain quantity of water should be released to the lower riparian state as per the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal award. He appealed to former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and other Janata Dal (Secular) leaders demanding release of water to irrigation fields in the Cauvery basin against playing politics. Mahadayi Mr. Siddaramaiah demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the Mahadayi river water sharing row between Karnataka and Goa. Referring to Goa’s refusal to arrive at a mutual settlement to the dispute as suggested by the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, he said it was the responsibility of the Prime Minister to intervene when such a situation arises. “It is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. He is the head of the federal state. He can’t escape his responsibility,” he said. He chided the BJP MPs of the State for failing to pressure the Centre to resolve the Mahadayi issue. “They have not been elected just to deliver speeches. They should protect the interests of the state,” he remarked.