Chennai, Aug 31:
Observing that Karnakata was in a hurry to build the Mekedatu dam, PMK President and Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday urged the Tamil Nadu government to intensify its efforts to protect the state’s rights and convene an all party meeting to discuss the issue.
At a time when Karnataka was intensifying its efforts, the Tamil Nadu government’s clould not remain silent and it only be tantamount to surrendering its rights over Cauvery water.
In a statement here, he cited Karnataka Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar remarks that works to construct the dam across the Cauvery River will be expedited and the state government will soon approach the Centre to get the nod.
At a time when there wass strong opposition to the dam by the people and environmental activists in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka eagerness to proceed with the project was condemnable.
Quoting Shivakumar, he said since the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the Mekedatu project was favourable to Karnataka, it will request the Union Government to grant permission to construct the dam, who would be favourable to the farmers, who were benefitted by the KRS dam, in accordance with the judgment.
Anbumani, also a former Union Minister, said his statement has exposed two important facts. First, by stating that the Mekedatu project will further strengthen Karnataka’s farmers, he has made it clear that the Karnataka government intends to use the water stored in the Mekedatu for agriculture. This is completely contrary to the position maintained by it until now—that, apart from meeting drinking water requirements, Karnataka would not take even a drop of water from Mekedatu for irrigation.
The Karnataka government’s new stand has confirmed the fears if the Mekedatu dam wass constructed, it will use the stored water and Tamil Nadu will consequently be deprived of its share of Cauvery water, he said.
Moreover, the Karnataka government, which had been claiming that the Mekedatu dam was being constructed solely to meet drinking water requirements, has now stated that the water will also be used for irrigation. This is contrary to the objectives stated in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and this single fact is sufficient grounds for rejecting the DPR for the Mekedatu dam, the PMK Chief said, adding, the Tamil Nadu government must bring this matter to the attention of the Union Government as well as the Supreme Court.
Pointing out that hundreds of people lost their lives in floods caused by the bursting of glacial lakes in the Himalayas in Nepal, Anbumani said similarly, if the Mekedatu dam were to face any danger in the future due to natural disasters, the Tamil Nadu downstream areas of the dam could also face the risk of catastrophic destruction.
If the Mekedatu dam is constructed, the consequences for Tamil Nadu, particularly for the Cauvery delta irrigation districts, will be unimaginable. At a time when the Karnataka government is intensifying its efforts to construct the Mekedatu dam day by day, it is not appropriate for Tamil Nadu to remain silent. The Tamil Nadu government’s indifference could amount to surrendering Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery water.