K'taka firm on not releasing water to TN; will file plea before CWRC expressing inability

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the state will once again file a petition before the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) expressing its inability to release Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.

The CWRC on Tuesday recommended that Karnataka release 5,000 cusecs of water every day for the next 15 days to the neighbouring state.

The Chief Minister, who today held a "special emergency meeting" following the CWRC recommendations, said the government will consult its legal team regarding releasing water and take a decision, and will also once again file a petition in the Supreme Court explaining the situation on the ground. "...Let's see what they will do, based on that we will once again file a petition in the Supreme Court and we will try to inform the court the factual situation on the ground," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting here, he said, "In the meanwhile we will discuss with the legal team whether to release 5,000 cusec per day or not. Deputy Chief Minister (D K) Shivakumar is going to Delhi to discuss with the legal team on this and also regarding filing a petition. Keeping all this in mind, we will make a decision afterwards."

Former CMs BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP and HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S) did not attend the meet citing commitments.

Noting that the meeting was called following the CWRC's recommendation to release water, the CM said, whether Cauvery or any other inter-state disputes, all parties have taken an unanimous stand and have not indulged in politics on land, water, language and state's borders.

Pointing out that the CWRC is a recommendatory body and has only made a recommendation, Siddaramaiah said, the state is going to appeal to them stating that Karnataka is not in a position to release water as there is no (adequate) water for crops and for drinking purposes.

He said he had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking time to lead an all-party delegation, but there has been no response so far.

"I will once again write another letter to the PM explaining to him about the factual position on ground, if he gives time, we will go and meet him."

Noting that Parliament session is starting from September 18, he said the government is thinking about calling a meeting of state's MPs and central Ministers from Karnataka there during the session.

The CWMA had earlier directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 29.

Stating that Karnataka has explained the factual situation and its inability to release water, to CWRC, Siddaramaiah in reply to a question on whether he will speak to TN CM M K Stalin, asked, "What's the benefit speaking to him?"