Shivakumar defends govt on Cauvery, says water not released to TN yet
Bengaluru, Aug 1
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said the state government has not yet released Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and asserted that any decision on the issue would be taken only after consultations with legal experts and opposition leaders.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders over the Cauvery water dispute, Shivakumar said the Opposition had levelled allegations even before any water was released. "The BJP has been making allegations, but we have not yet released water. They themselves had suggested convening an all-party meeting," he told reporters after launching the "Freedom from Waste" campaign in Bengaluru.
The Chief Minister said one of Karnataka's reservoirs in the Cauvery catchment area is likely to reach full capacity by this evening (Aug 1), making it difficult to retain additional inflows.
"Once the reservoir is full, it is not possible to hold back any more water. At the same time, Tamil Nadu is preparing to approach the Supreme Court. The current inflow is around 36,000 to 39,000 cusecs, while Karnataka has been directed to release only 3,500 cusecs. We will take an appropriate decision after consulting legal experts and the opposition," he said.
The Congress government has convened an all-party meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday to decide on releasing water to Tamil Nadu.
Shivakumar also condemned the recent attack on civic officials during an anti-encroachment drive in Bengaluru's Shivajinagar, describing it as an attack on the government rather than merely on public servants.
"If anyone thinks it was only an attack on officials, they are mistaken. It was an attack on the government, its ministers and legislators. We are implementing this programme with the support of elected representatives across party lines," he said.
He reiterated that the government would continue its anti-encroachment drive while ensuring alternative arrangements for street vendors. "Street vendors will be provided alternative locations wherever possible. However, encroachments on footpaths and roads that obstruct pedestrians and vehicular traffic will not be permitted," he said.
The Chief Minister also said the cleanliness campaign launched in Bengaluru should serve as a model for the entire state and urged legislators across Karnataka to implement similar initiatives in their respective constituencies.
He stressed that sustained public participation and civic responsibility would be crucial to keeping cities clean and free from illegal waste dumping.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The reservoir is going to be full and we still won't release water? That's not right yaar. If water is overflowing, it makes sense to release it rather than letting it go to waste. I understand the political pressure, but we need to be practical. Farmers in TN are also suffering.
BJP leaders are making hue and cry even before water is released. Shivakumar is right - they themselves suggested all-party meeting earlier. State government is handling this sensibly. We need less politics and more solutions for this decades-old problem.
At least DK is talking about consulting opposition leaders. But this all-party meeting is just to create a narrative. SC has already ordered to release 3,500 cusecs. They should just comply with the order and stop wasting time. Water disputes need court intervention, simple as that.
The anti-encroachment drive is long pending, but attacking officials is not the solution. However, government also needs to be more compassionate. Many street vendors depend on these spots for their daily bread. Hope alternative arrangements are made properly as CM has promised.
Namma CM is handling this well. But the timing is worrying - if we release water now, it sets a precedent for the whole season. Tamil Nadu will keep demanding more. Need strict legal advice before any release. Also, why is TN always in crisis even after getting water every year?
J