Karnataka rules out Cauvery bandh, DK Shivakumar says state will protect interests

After an all-party meeting, DK Shivakumar urged parties and Kannada groups not to call a bandh over the Cauvery dispute. He said Karnataka would protect its interests through legal channels while prioritising drinking water amid a sharp rainfall deficit.

In Short

• Karnataka was asked to release 3,500 cusecs to Tamil Nadu
• Shivakumar said poor rainfall left the state with just 35 per cent
• Drinking water remained priority, with canal releases limited to lakes

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday urged political parties and Kannada organisations not to call for a bandh over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, asserting that protecting Karnataka's interests would remain the government's top priority.

Speaking after an all-party meeting convened to discuss directions issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), Shivakumar said the government would act strictly within the legal framework while safeguarding the state's interests.

He said the CWMA and the CWRC had directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, but stressed that the state was facing a severe rainfall deficit, having received only around 35 per cent of its normal rainfall so far this year.

The Chief Minister said ensuring drinking water remained the government's immediate priority. Water was being released through canals only to fill lakes and tanks meant for drinking water, not for irrigation, while district-wise crop advisories would be issued based on water availability.

Shivakumar said Karnataka had released only around 3.6 TMC of water in July this year compared with about 31 TMC during the same period last year because of poor inflows. Improved rainfall in recent days had marginally eased the situation, with Kabini reaching full capacity and inflows into reservoirs increasing.

He appealed to the BJP, JD(S) and Kannada organisations to maintain unity and avoid a bandh, saying all parties had agreed during the all-party meeting to support the government's stand on the issue.

Shivakumar said Karnataka would continue consultations with legal experts and pursue its case before the courts. He added that the state had sought cooperation from Tamil Nadu on ensuring drinking water needs and would continue discussions through legal and administrative channels.

The Chief Minister also said he had requested an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an all-party delegation to present Karnataka's concerns. According to Shivakumar, the Prime Minister responded positively and said he would convey a suitable time for the meeting.

Calling the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project the permanent solution to the Cauvery dispute, Shivakumar said the Detailed Project Report faced only minor documentation issues and reiterated that 9 TMC of water under the project had been earmarked exclusively for drinking water.

On possible compensation if farmers are advised against cultivation, Shivakumar said the Revenue Minister was examining the issue and an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time. Asked about Cabinet expansion, he declined to confirm a timeline, saying the media would be informed before any decision was taken.

- Ends