The CM was referring to the protests triggered by the Cauvery Water Management Authority‘s (CWMA) decision upholding the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee‘s (CWRC) directive asking Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29, amounting to about four tmc ft.
The CM said Karnataka should extend due respect and hospitality to visitors from other states, but the prevailing situation was not conducive. He requested the Tamil Nadu CM to consider postponing the visit to a later date, saying the two leaders could hold discussions once tensions subside.
The CM said Karnataka was exploring ways to resolve the Cauvery issue with Tamil Nadu through cordial dialogue.
Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a statewide bandh on August 13 to protest the CWMA’s decision directing Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. The CM appealed to the organisations to withdraw the bandh call, saying previous court rulings had discouraged such protests and that a shutdown would inconvenience the public.
“We will not work against the interests of our state,” he said.
The CM also dismissed concerns over an imminent drinking water crisis, saying the Cauvery basin reservoirs currently hold about 40 tmc ft of water, of which around 4 tmc ft is expected to evaporate. He said Karnataka was nevertheless bound to share water with Tamil Nadu under the distress-sharing formula.Karnataka is facing both a water management challenge and mounting political pressure after the CWMA on Thursday upheld the CWRC’s July 28 order directing the state to ensure a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days.
The CM has convened an all-party meeting on Sunday, August 2, to discuss the state’s response. Former chief ministers, MPs and MLAs from the Cauvery basin region have been invited to attend.
