Gowda asks TN not to politicise Mekedatu issue

Union Law and Justice Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today said it was unfair on the part of Tamil Nadu government to oppose Mekedatu project across the Cauvery in Karnataka for political mileage.
Addressing reporters here, he said the state government should immediately prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on the Mekedatu project.
He said Mekedatu was well within the limits of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had no rights on it. The existing small reservoir there was being developed into a bigger one.
"The project will ease the water scarcity crisis of Bengaluru and also will be capable of producing 400 MW of electricity. The state should convince the Centre that Mekedatu project will also help Tamil Nadu in getting drinking water during drought situation," he said.

He welcomed the gesture of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for taking an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the Mekedatu issue. However, he said, the state should have approached the Centre with a DPR as Tamil Nadu was trying to politicise the issue.
Siddaramaiah had on April 30 led an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister seeking the Centre's 'co-operation' for the implementation of Mekedatu project.
The project is expected to generate 400 MW electric power and store drinking water required for Bengaluru city. "No irrigation is contemplated under the project as alleged by Tamil Nadu," the memorandum submitted by the delegation to the Prime Minister said.