Mandya: Former minister N Cheluvarayaswamy on Tuesday said that a decision on releasing water from the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir for standing crops and filling lakes in Mandya district, will be taken after Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) meeting on Wednesday, and subsequent consultations with chief minister DK Shivakumar.In a statement, Cheluvarayaswamy said the demand of farmers for water to protect standing sugarcane crops and replenish tanks and lakes is justified. He noted that legislators from all political parties have urged the govt to release water and said supporting farmers during difficult times is the responsibility of every elected representative. At the same time, he pointed out that poor rainfall this season has resulted in low storage levels in reservoirs, making it essential for the govt to balance irrigation requirements with the need to safeguard drinking water supplies.He said legislators from Mandya district discussed the issue with the chief minister, who assured them that a decision would be taken after reviewing the outcome of the CWMA and CWRC meetings scheduled in New Delhi.According to Cheluvarayaswamy, Karnataka officials will present the state’s water position, including reservoir levels, drinking water requirements and the condition of standing crops, before the CWMA. Based on the authority’s deliberations, the state govt will hold consultations with chief minister DK Shivakumar and water resources minister before deciding on the release of water.Expressing hope over IMD’s forecast of rain in the coming days, he said the inflow into the KRS reservoir is expected to improve and urged farmers not to lose hope, adding that there is still time for agricultural operations. Appealing for restraint, Cheluvarayaswamy urged leaders not to politicise the water crisis, describing it as an issue affecting the livelihood of thousands of farmers. He also appealed the farmers to cooperate with the govt, assuring them that their interests would remain the administration’s foremost priority.
