Advise Karnataka to not proceed with reservoir projects: Panneerselvam

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise Karnataka to withhold the Expression of Interest (EOI) for its dam projects across river Cauvery.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, Panneerselvam referred to media reports about Karnataka inviting global EOI for construction of two reservoirs at Mekedatu and, requesting the prime minister's personal intervention, urged him to advise that state to withhold its EOI.

The EOI is for a technical feasibility study to build two reservoirs at Mekedatu in Karnataka.

Panneerselvam also urged Modi to advise Karnataka not to take any steps to execute any irrigation, hydro power, lift irrigation schemes or any other scheme in the guise of drinking water supply in the Cauvery Basin of Karnataka without the consent of the government of Tamil Nadu.

"I also request you to instruct the ministry of environment and forests and ministry of water resources, government of India, not to give clearance to any project posed by the Government of Karnataka without consulting the Government of Tamil Nadu," Panneerselvam said.

"Karnataka has been repeatedly violating the Final Order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, seriously jeopardizing the rights of the lower riparian State of Tamil Nadu and affecting the livelihood of lakhs of farmers," Panneerselvam said.