Cauvery Issue: Karnataka Adopts Resolution To Release Water to TN

Karnataka had earlier said it is facing a water shortage and thus releasing water to TN will be difficult.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

In a step that will ensure release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, the Karnataka legislature on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution empowering the government to take an "appropriate" decision to provide water for irrigation to meet the neighbouring state’s farmers' demand.

The decision by both the Houses of the legislature at the second such special session in 10 days came on the day when the Supreme Court asked Karnataka government to apprise it by Tuesday afternoon whether it has released water to Tamil Nadu as directed by it on 30 September .

The resolution makes no mention about release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu or the Supreme Court orders, but it modified the 23 September resolution to draw water from the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin only for drinking purpose, to also allow its use for irrigation.

Karnataka Pays Heed to Concerns of TN Farmers

Karnataka had earlier said it is facing an acute shortage of drinking water itself and the 6,000 cusecs of water that the Supreme Court ordered it to release from 21 to 27 September will be difficult.

By releasing water to farmers in Karnataka, the government will be hitting two birds with one stone. The water released to save crops will not only benefit our farmers but also those in Tamil Nadu, thereby sending a message to the court that they are being sympathetic towards farmers on both sides.

Senior Minister

(With Inputs from The Times of India.)