Centre in process to set up Cauvery management board: Tamil Nadu Governor

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday said Cauvery issue was close to his heart and has been assured by Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari that the matter relating to the constitution of a river management board was under process.

Addressing a press conference, he said he had talked to Gadkari on Tuesday who told him that the issue "was under preparation and we are doing it".

He dismissed any politics in the matter, saying he was sure that something positive will be done for the farmers and people of Tamil Nadu.

Purohit said the Cauvery issue was close to his heart and within a week of his taking over as Governor last October he had attended a Governor's conference in Delhi where in a speech he had said that farmers of Delta region in Tamil Nadu were dependent on waters of Cauvery.

"The farmers are agitated over the issue. Hence, it is reiterated that Cauvery management board and Cauvery water regulatory committee are constituted immediately in accordance with the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal."

Tamil Nadu has been rocked by protests of late over the Centre's failure to constitute the Cauvery Management Board within six months of the Supreme Court verdict in February.

Asked about the demand of opposition parties led by DMK leader M.K. Stalin for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the demand has been forwarded.

--IANS

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