Cauvery body to meet on Friday amid Karnataka’s resistance to release water to Tamil Nadu
Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) is expected to hear Karnataka plea on Friday against the orders to release 3000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu amid escalating tensions and protests in the Old Mysuru region.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also holds the water resources portfolio, said the state’s team of officials will convince the CWMA about the prevailing drought situation in the state.
Pro-Kannada and farmer organisations have called for a state-wide bandh on Friday to protest the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC)’s Sep 26 orders to release 3000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. A number of organisations including the film industry, app-based cabs and transportation unions, restaurants have declared their support to the bandh call.
Veteran Kannada activist and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj went around Bengaluru in an open vehicle appearing to the public to support the bandh.
The Opposition BJP and JDS have identified themselves with the protestors, actively participating in the dharna against the ruling Congress.
“We will support the agitation for Cauvery waters as long as the issue remains,” former CM Basavaraj Bommai said.
Shivakumar, however, said the government would not allow the bandh though it would not come in the way of peaceful protests. The government would enforce the court orders on bandh, he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, has called for a meeting of top experts on Friday to discuss the legal options available.
The government, meanwhile, has moved a separate application before the Supreme Court.
On Wednesday, the Deputy CM said the government would not release even a drop of water from KRS reservoir in Mandya district. This suggested that the government might
