TN BJP panel on Cauvery pitches for CMB, linking river with Godavari

A committee formed by the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit on the Cauvery water issue today met Union minister Nitin Gadkari here and sought the formation of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

The committee also called for a permanent solution to the dispute by transferring excess water in the Godavari to Cauvery -- a plan already talked about by the Union water resources ministry led by Gadkari.

The minister, the committee said, assured it that he will convey the feelings of the people of the state and the BJP unit to the appropriate forum at the appropriate time.

We wanted to convey the feelings of our people of Tamil Nadu, particularly the feelings of the BJP, that we want, and we insist, that the CMB is established as ordered by the court of law, Rajya Sabha MP and committee member L Ganesan told reporters here.

He (Gadkari) gave (us) a patient hearing and he has promised us to convey the feelings of the people to a proper person and forum, Ganesan said.

He said the government's plan to link Godavari and other rivers to Cauvery is a "possible" project and not merely a promise or imagination.

Gadkari also informed the committee about the desalination plant the government is considering to install in Tuticorin to convert sea water into sweet water for both potable and non-potable purposes.

So, that (Gadkari's statements) have given us immense confidence, Ganesansaid.

The Supreme Court had, on February 16, increased the 270 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating the latter by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water had to be placed on a "higher pedestal".

The apex court had also asked to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance with its judgement in this connection.