Do not become complacent, as present rains are temporary, Bommai tells State

Maintaining that the present rains are only a “temporary” relief to the crisis over sharing of the Cauvery river, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday asked the Karnataka government not to become complacent.

The State government must present valid arguments in the Supreme Court with DMK’s petition on Cauvery coming up for hearing on Monday, he said.

Speaking to media persons after the all-party meeting here, he said that the State government cannot afford to remain complacent and that the recent rains were only a temporary relief to the crisis. “The State government must present valid arguments based on solid data. Failing to do so could result in an adverse order, putting the government in distress again.” Water should not be released from the KRS reservoir until it reaches full capacity, he added.

Expressing strong objection to the government’s framing of the reduction in the water released, from 9,500 cusecs to 3,500 cusecs, the former Chief Minister said that ensuring drinking water throughout the year and supplying water to farmers remains a major challenge. “After asking farmers not to engage in agricultural activities, what compensation is the government providing to offset the losses?” he wondered.

Vijayendra writes to TN CM

Meanwhile, BJP State president B. Y. Vijayendra has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, appealing to him to show a statesmanlike approach towards the issue of sharing Cauvery water with Karnataka, and also to support the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir and drinking water project proposed by Karnataka with the spirit of co-operation.

He appealed to him to ensure that the Cauvery issue unites the people of both States rather than dividing them.