Need to resolve carefully inter-state water row: Ananth Kumar

The inter-state disputes over sharing of Cauvery, Mahadayi and Krishna river waters that are stuck in courts for long need to be resolved "carefully", Union Minister Ananth Kumar said today.
Efforts are also being made to settle out of the court the Mahadayi water dispute between Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa at the earliest, he said.
"Many of the Karnataka issues on inter-state water disputes related to Cauvery, Krishna and Mahadayi rivers are pending in courts at various levels for long. There is a need to resolve them carefully," Kumar said addressing the first national conference, organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishad (KSP) here, on Kannadigas staying outside the state.

While appreciating literary personalities for staging protest on these issues in the interest of Karnataka, the Minister said, "More than protests, there is a need to create broader awareness about the state and its concerns at the central government level as well as in the judiciary."
Kumar, a senior BJP leader from Bangalore South constituency, also assured that Karnataka MPs, irrespective of parties, are united in spirit to work in the interest of the state though the paths may be different.
On the Mahadayi dispute, the Minister said the three states -- Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra -- are making efforts to settle the issue out of the court.

"I have spoken to both Goa and Maharashtra Chief Ministers on this issue and shared how important this river water is for drinking and irrigation purposes in Uttar Kannada district," he said.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written letters to his Goa and Karnataka counterparts to invite them for a meeting later this month on this matter.
Stressing the need to save Kannada language within the state and outside, the Minister said, "Kannadigas are not able to speak pure Kannada language for not even a minute. There is so much influence of English. It has become inevitable for us to protect mother tongue."

The usage of Kannada has declined drastically and Kannadigas within the state and those staying outside should come forward to protect and promote their language, he added.
Congress MLA and Special representative to Karnataka government in New Delhi Appaji C S Nadgouda and State Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree also spoke on promotion of Kannada language and culture.
KSP President Manu Baligar, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Vice Chancellor T V Kattimani and Delhi Karnataka Sangha chief Vasant Shetty Bellare were present at the event.