Karnataka to Convene All-Party Meet Over Cauvery Water Dispute Amid Shortage

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara announced on July 29 that Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has proposed an all-party meeting following a directive from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release water to Tamil Nadu. The meeting aims to discuss the state's response to the CWRC order, which mandates a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days, amounting to about 4 TMC of water.

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara stressed that Karnataka is currently facing a severe water shortage, even for drinking purposes. "When the situation this time is such that we don't even have enough drinking water, how justified is it to ask us to maintain a flow of 3,500 cusecs?" he said. He added that the government would take an appropriate decision after the all-party meeting.

The Deputy CM noted that such issues arise periodically and that Karnataka has historically released more water than its allocation when water was available. He also mentioned that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is expected to visit Bengaluru on August 3 for talks, though the visit is yet to be confirmed. "If he comes, we will discuss the issue with him too," Parameshwara said.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress government of failing to effectively present Karnataka's case before the CWRC. The BJP urged the Chief Minister to immediately challenge the order by filing an appeal with the Cauvery Water Management Authority and to not release water. The Deputy CM acknowledged that farmers in Mandya and surrounding regions have been protesting, fearing that the government might agree to release water despite the shortage.

Parameshwara also addressed Tamil Nadu's opposition to the proposed Mekedatu project, a multi-purpose balancing reservoir for drinking water and power generation. He stated that the Supreme Court had previously questioned why Karnataka could not build a dam within its own territory as long as the allocated water to Tamil Nadu is released. "Let them write (to the Prime Minister). The PM is not above the court. Whatever the court says is final," he said.

On the BJP's objections to the meeting between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers, Parameshwara defended the interaction as normal in a federal system. "What is the BJP's problem if neighbouring states want to resolve the issue? Do they want states to keep fighting? It seems to be their policy," he added.