Centre should clarify its stand on Mekedatu project: Dy CM

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday asked the Centre to spell out its stand on the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River in the state. Shivakumar said he raised the issue of Mekedatu with Union Minister C R Patil and his deputy, V Somanna, during his visit to Delhi on Tuesday. The meeting focused on discussing and securing approvals for several pending irrigation projects.

"I asked the Centre, 'What is your stand on the Mekedatu issue?' We may be pushing for it, or they may be opposing it, or they may say no—but they must clarify their position," Shivakumar told reporters. The Deputy Chief Minister said Patil is in a position to ensure justice and should explain the feasibility of the proposal.

"We presented a proposal for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir because we don't want any further delays. We asked the Union Minister for a clear statement on the Centre's stance," he said. Shivakumar emphasised that Karnataka wants the Centre to inform the Supreme Court about its position on the Mekedatu issue so that both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu can benefit from it. The Deputy CM pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government—an ally in the INDIA bloc—was opposing the project due to political reasons.