The Union government has told the Lok Sabha that the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) are functioning continuously under the Cauvery water management framework to ensure Tamil Nadu receives its legally mandated share of Cauvery water.
Responding to a question raised by Cuddalore MP Vishnu Prasad on protecting delta farmers and Tamil Nadu’s drinking water rights, the Centre said it is aware of objections raised by the Tamil Nadu government and farmers’ organisations regarding the proposed Mekedatu drinking water and balancing reservoir project.
The government said Karnataka’s 2019 report on the Mekedatu project was returned with directions to revise and resubmit it in line with the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the procedural guidelines of the Central Water Commission.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s judgment dated February 16, 2018, the Centre said the ruling does not state that Karnataka must obtain the consent of downstream states—Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry—for construction across the Cauvery. It added that representations on the project will be examined as per applicable rules.
