Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar has requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay to postpone his proposed visit to Bengaluru, citing a tense atmosphere in the state following directions from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.
The CWMA has ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily from the KRS reservoir into the Cauvery for 15 days. The directive has triggered protests by farmers in Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts, prompting the state government to hold an emergency meeting at Vidhana Soudha with the Deputy Chief Minister, the irrigation minister and senior officials.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said Karnataka is facing water scarcity and recalled that in the previous year, when the KRS reservoir filled early, large quantities were released and eventually flowed into the sea. He said the state has consulted BJP central ministers and MPs before moving to appeal, and that an all-party meeting will be held to decide the next course of action, including whether to approach the Supreme Court.
He also appealed to Kannada organisations to reconsider a statewide bandh called for August 13, arguing that such a shutdown would not offer a solution and that the government stands with farmers. On the proposed meeting with Vijay, Shivakumar said arrangements had been made for the August 3 visit but asked for it to be deferred by a few days so the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister can be received in a calm and respectful manner.
On the Mekedatu dam project, Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu would benefit more than Karnataka and claimed the stored water would be used only for power generation and drinking water. He added that reports about the detailed project report being rejected were incorrect, stating that additional information had been sought instead.
