Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Manickam Tagore on Saturday criticised Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar over his remarks that no one could stop the construction of the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery River.
Tagore said the proposed project would violate Supreme Court directives and the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, besides affecting the livelihoods of farmers in Tamil Nadu.
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In a post on X, Tagore condemned Shivakumar’s statement, which was made during an event in Mysuru in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shivakumar had urged the Centre to help Karnataka secure the remaining clearances for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, asserting that the dam would be built in the state.
“It is deeply condemnable that Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mysuru, said, ‘No one can stop the construction of a dam at Mekedatu’, and that the central government must give its final approval for it,” Tagore said.
He accused the Karnataka government of taking a unilateral position on the project and said it went against the principles of federalism and the rights of Tamil Nadu as a lower-riparian state in the Cauvery river basin.
TAMIL NADU CONGRESS WARNS AGAINST PROJECT
Tagore said Karnataka could not independently implement a project that could affect Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water. He urged the Centre not to grant approval for the Mekedatu project without consulting and obtaining the consent of lower-riparian states.
“Since Tamil Nadu is a lower-riparian state in the Cauvery River water-sharing arrangement, Karnataka cannot unilaterally implement any project that affects our rights. The central government must not grant any permission to build the Mekedatu dam without the full consent of the lower-riparian states,” he said.
He further warned that approving the project without Tamil Nadu’s consent would affect farmers, particularly those in the state’s delta districts.
Tagore also said the responsibility rested with the Centre to prevent Karnataka from proceeding with construction. He asserted that the Tamil Nadu Congress would oppose the project and take all necessary steps to protect the state’s interests.
“On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Congress, we will never allow this project; we will go to any lengths to fight to protect our state’s rights,” he said. Tagore added that he would address the issue during his visit to Thanjavur on Saturday.
SHIVAKUMAR SEEKS CENTRE’S HELP FOR MEKEDATU PROJECT
The controversy follows Shivakumar’s appeal to the Centre to help Karnataka obtain the necessary approvals for the proposed balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu.
Speaking at the Mysuru event, Shivakumar said the Supreme Court had delivered a clear verdict on the project and maintained that no one could stop Karnataka from building the dam. He also sought the Centre’s assistance in securing the final decision on the project, referring to the pending forest clearances.
“The Supreme Court has delivered a clear verdict to all of us: that Mekedatu has to be built in Karnataka and no one can stop it. We want you to help us legally,” Shivakumar said.
He described the proposed reservoir as a vital balancing reserve and expressed hope that the Union government would support Karnataka in obtaining the required clearances.
The Mekedatu project has remained a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the latter raising concerns over its potential impact on downstream water availability. Tagore’s latest remarks underline the continuing opposition from Tamil Nadu’s political leadership to the proposed dam.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
