Govt committed to protect farmers interests, says DCM Shivakumar

NT Correspondent

Mysuru: With the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee once again recommending Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said the state government is committed to protect the interests of its farmers, irrespective of whatever the order may be.

The Deputy CM, who is also the Minister in-charge of the state's Water Resources department, said implementing the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery river at Kanakapura taluk in Ramanagara district to which the neighbouring Tamil Nadu is opposed to, is the top priority of his government.

The CWRC today recommended that Karnataka needs to ensure water release from its reservoirs so that 3,000 cusecs are realised at Biligundlu (measuring station in Tamil Nadu) starting from October 16 (8 am) up to October 31.

"They (CWRC) have taken account of water level at our dams and theirs (Tamil Nadu) and have recommended to continue 3,000 cusecs. Inflow at our dams is about 10,000 cusecs today. Whatever the order may be, we will do all that is needed to protect the interests of our farmers, we are committed to it," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Despite us (Karnataka) releasing water, for a couple of days the quantity of water that reached Biligundlu was slightly less, but due to rains in Bengaluru and surrounding areas there was increased flow for a couple of days. So by and large there was a balance."

Shivakumar said the state has requested before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for a central team to be sent to the state for inspecting the dams.

He asserted that the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project is the top priority of Karnataka government.