Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Chennai, Nov 17 (IANS) Farmer organizations in Tamil Nadu have strongly rejected Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s recent claim that the Mekedatu dam project will not affect their state’s share of Cauvery waters.
They argue that Karnataka has repeatedly failed to honor the monthly water releases mandated by the Supreme Court and have urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to insist on a daily water release mechanism to safeguard the state’s irrigation needs.
Concerns gained momentum after the Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Nadu’s petition challenging the Mekedatu project. After the verdict, Shivakumar reiterated that the dam would not disrupt water flow to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka intended to proceed with construction.
He also said that the proposed balancing reservoir would ensure water supply during periods of shortage.
However, farmers in Tamil Nadu see the situation differently. He says the state has struggled to even achieve the minimum monthly quota set by the apex court.
With the agricultural season already underway, farmers say the current pattern of irregular and delayed releases from Karnataka adversely impacts crop planning and jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on Cauvery irrigation.
According to farmer organisations, Tamil Nadu was entitled to get 9.19 TMC of water for June and 31.24 TMC for July under the Supreme Court directions. Nevertheless, the flow during these months has been well below the prescribed level.
Farmers argue that this long-term shortfall reflects Karnataka’s unwillingness to meet its obligations, casting doubt on the assurances attached to the Mekedatu project. He believes that the Tamil Nadu government should take a more assertive stance and urge the neighboring state to strictly comply with the court orders.
The view among farmers’ groups is that monthly release programs have proven ineffective and only a structured daily allocation can ensure continuous availability of water for irrigation. They also emphasize that Karnataka has a track record of releasing water only when its reservoirs are full during the monsoon period, leaving Tamil Nadu vulnerable during drought.
As samba cultivation progresses in the delta region, farmers have warned that any delay or reduction in water supply could lead to significant agricultural losses. In this context, farmers have appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin to initiate strong, sustained dialogue with Karnataka to ensure uninterrupted daily release of Cauvery water and prevent the deepening crisis in TN’s irrigated agricultural lands.
–IANS
AL/DPB