Karnataka Assembly adopts resolution on Mekedatu project counters Tamil Nadu
Bengaluru Mar 24 PTI The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution countering Tamil Nadus similar move regarding the Mekedatu project across river Cauvery While exerting pressure on the Centre to give necessary clearances for the project the resolution also urges it not to finalise the DPR under the Peninsular River Development Plan without the states consent and not to give approval for Tamil Nadus illegal projects Piloted by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai the resolution condemns Tamil Nadu Assemblys resolution opposing the Mekedatu project stating that it will in no way affect that state It also urged the Central Water Commission and Ministry of Environment and Forest to immediately give necessary clearance for the Mekedatu project It also urges the concerned central agencies not to finalise the DPR for Godavari – Krishna -Pennar – Cauvery – Vaigai – Gundar river linking until the legitimate share of the concerned states are decided upon and until all aspects of it DPR are agreeable to Karnataka and also not give approval for Tamil Nadus illegal projects and to direct it not to go ahead with them The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution condemning the Karnataka government for its unilateral decision to proceed with the Mekedatu project and prevail upon the Centre to reject the proposal Terming the Tamil Nadus resolution as unwarranted against federal system and the language used in as impolite Bommai citing Supreme Court order regarding Cauvery river water dispute said Karnataka is within its Constitutional rights to implement the Mekedatu project Pointing out that National Water Policy gives priority for drinking water he said this is a drinking water project and will in no way violate the tribunals orders Noting that Tamil Nadu has said that its consent is required for the implementation of Mekedatu project the Chief Minister said but at the same time by unilaterally taking up projects illegally without seeking for Karnatakas consent the neighbouring state is depicting its dual stand We strongly condemn Tamil Nadus illegal projects and will oppose them on all platforms he said Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and JDS Deputy Leader Bandeppa Kashempur extended their parties support for the resolution to be passed unanimously Though Senior Congress MLA and former Water Resources Minister H K Patil had some reservations regarding the wordings in the resolution concerning Peninsular River Development Plan in the interest of the state it was finally agreed upon by slightly amending it Finally Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri put the resolution moved by Bommai to vote and it was unanimously adopted by a voice vote The state budget 2022-23 presented by Bommai recently provided a grant of Rs 1000 crore this year for implementation of the project The Mekedatu multi-purpose drinking and power project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district The estimated Rs 9000-crore project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas 475 TMC and it can also generate 400 MW of power Karnataka has maintained that the project within its territory will benefit both states as the surplus water stored can be managed between the two during a distress year and its implementation will in no way affect the interests of Tamil Nadus farming communities as there will be no impact on its share of water However the neighbouring state is of the view that the project would impound and divert the uncontrolled water flow due to Tamil Nadu from Kabini sub-basin the catchment area below Krishnarajasagara and also from Simsha Arkavathy and Suvarnavathi sub-basins besides other small streams PTI KSU RS KSU SS SS
Bengaluru Mar 24 PTI The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution countering Tamil Nadus similar move regarding the Mekedatu project across river Cauvery While exerting pressure on the Centre to give necessary clearances for the project the resolution also urges it not to finalise the DPR under the Peninsular River Development Plan without the states consent and not to give approval for Tamil Nadus illegal projects Piloted by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai the resolution condemns Tamil Nadu Assemblys resolution opposing the Mekedatu project stating that it will in no way affect that state It also urged the Central Water Commission and Ministry of Environment and Forest to immediately give necessary clearance for the Mekedatu project It also urges the concerned central agencies not to finalise the DPR for Godavari – Krishna -Pennar – Cauvery – Vaigai – Gundar river linking until the legitimate share of the concerned states are decided upon and until all aspects of it DPR are agreeable to Karnataka and also not give approval for Tamil Nadus illegal projects and to direct it not to go ahead with them The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution condemning the Karnataka government for its unilateral decision to proceed with the Mekedatu project and prevail upon the Centre to reject the proposal Terming the Tamil Nadus resolution as unwarranted against federal system and the language used in as impolite Bommai citing Supreme Court order regarding Cauvery river water dispute said Karnataka is within its Constitutional rights to implement the Mekedatu project Pointing out that National Water Policy gives priority for drinking water he said this is a drinking water project and will in no way violate the tribunals orders Noting that Tamil Nadu has said that its consent is required for the implementation of Mekedatu project the Chief Minister said but at the same time by unilaterally taking up projects illegally without seeking for Karnatakas consent the neighbouring state is depicting its dual stand We strongly condemn Tamil Nadus illegal projects and will oppose them on all platforms he said Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and JDS Deputy Leader Bandeppa Kashempur extended their parties support for the resolution to be passed unanimously Though Senior Congress MLA and former Water Resources Minister H K Patil had some reservations regarding the wordings in the resolution concerning Peninsular River Development Plan in the interest of the state it was finally agreed upon by slightly amending it Finally Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri put the resolution moved by Bommai to vote and it was unanimously adopted by a voice vote The state budget 2022-23 presented by Bommai recently provided a grant of Rs 1000 crore this year for implementation of the project The Mekedatu multi-purpose drinking and power project involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district The estimated Rs 9000-crore project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas 475 TMC and it can also generate 400 MW of power Karnataka has maintained that the project within its territory will benefit both states as the surplus water stored can be managed between the two during a distress year and its implementation will in no way affect the interests of Tamil Nadus farming communities as there will be no impact on its share of water However the neighbouring state is of the view that the project would impound and divert the uncontrolled water flow due to Tamil Nadu from Kabini sub-basin the catchment area below Krishnarajasagara and also from Simsha Arkavathy and Suvarnavathi sub-basins besides other small streams PTI KSU RS KSU SS SS
