Tamil Nadu urges CWMA to withdraw DPR nod to Karnataka on Mekedatu

Tamil Nadu on Monday urged the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to withdraw the nod given to Karnataka for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) on Mekedatu reservoir across the Cauvery river.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of the nine-member CWMA, S.K. Prabakar, Principal Secretary to Tamil Nadu government hoped that the Authority will immediately act to direct the Central Water Commission (CWC) to withdraw this permission.

"Permission to grant DPR without consulting the upper and lower state is not correct. We have made this point and urged them to withdraw the permission of preparing the DPR," he said.

The Tamil Nadu government also said that CWC should be advised not to proceed in "haste" without taking the consent of lower and upper states especially in such matter which affect livelihood of millions of farmers in the state.

CWC's approval for the DPR was discussed here at a meeting of the Authority.

The Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd, Karnataka, plans to prepare the DPR for Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir-cum-Drinking Water Project.

On July 2, CWMA Chairman S. Masood Husain had directed Karnataka to release the quantum of water as per the tribunal award for July after adjusting the surplus in the month of June to Tamil Nadu. The tribunal had allotted 34 tmcft and the excess water released in June was more than 3 tmcft.

In the nine-member CWMA chaired by CWC Chairman, Karnataka is represented by its Principal Secretary, Water Resources, Rakesh Singh and Tamil Nadu government by Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, S.K. Prabakar. Kerala Water Resources Secretary Tinku Biswal and Puducherry Development Commissioner-cum-PWD Secretary A. Anbarasu were also present.

--IANS

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