Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday said the Supreme Court’s verdict and the directions of the Cauvery Management Authority must be respected in the Cauvery water-sharing dispute. He made the remarks while addressing the Southern States Chief Ministers’ Conference held in Kovalam near Chennai.
Stressing that water is fundamental to the lives and livelihoods of crores of people, he said inter-State rivers should be managed legally and with full cooperation. He added that without sharing the due quantum of river water, there was no scope for cooperation on the Cauvery issue.
The Chief Minister also called for a coordinated inter-State framework to curb narcotics, including sharing intelligence among states. He said neighbouring states should work together on sea transport and fisheries.
On education and health admissions, Vijay sought permission to conduct medical admissions based on Class 12 results, arguing that the NEET entrance exam adversely affects rural and disadvantaged students. He also raised concerns over states’ revenue flexibility after GST, urging states to regain autonomy in deciding tax rates.
He further pitched for extending the metro rail from Bommasandra in Karnataka to Hosur in Tamil Nadu, and said states’ financial autonomy must be respected. He also sought legal safeguards to ensure states’ representation in the Lok Sabha does not reduce, and said safety measures should continue to enable raising the Mullaperiyar dam water level to 152 feet.
