“The State’s reservoirs are not yet fully filled. Along with the challenge of safeguarding the interests of our farmers, we also need to uphold the law. Both are very important. My duty is to protect the interests of farmers in the Cauvery issue,” Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said.
After offering special prayers at Bhagamandala Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple, he spoke to reporters.
“We should take decisions keeping in mind the availability of water in the reservoirs for drinking water and agriculture. We hope there will be good rains, crops will prosper and farmers will have sufficient food”.
“The Supreme Court has said in its verdict that there is no objection to constructing any dam within our State. The Central Government has also made this clear while replying to Tamil Nadu MPs. The construction of Mekedatu will not affect the allocation of 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. There are separate rules for the allocation of water during times of distress. The Cauvery Water Management Authority has also issued necessary directions in this regard. If the availability of water in our reservoirs decreases, unnecessary hardship may arise. That situation should not arise. If we do not follow the law, there may be a situation in which we have to hand over control of the dam to the Central Government,” he said.
“The Cauvery River and the Kannambadi dam are a rice bowl. I have prayed to Mother Cauvery that our farmers should harvest their crops and stay alive. I had prayed to Mother Cauvery during the Mekedatu protest “Our Water, Our Right”. It is the law of nature that such a water problem arises once in three years,” he said.
“With the blessings of the people of the state, party leaders and gurus, the struggle I have waged for the last 45 years has borne fruit. My prayers have borne fruit,” he said. Kodagu District In-charge Minister P.M. Narendra Swamy, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary A.S. Ponnanna and others were present.
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