The Karnataka Government on Monday strongly rejected claims of Tamil Nadu political parties that the State Government has submitted false details regarding Mekedatu drinking water dam project across river Cauvery near Bengaluru.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said it never violates the tribunal order. He said, “When will Tamil Nadu accept the truthIJ The balancing reservoir that we intend to construct near Mekedatu will not affect Tamil Nadu. It also does not violate the tribunal order.” “The intention behind the balancing reservoir is to facilitate release of water to Tamil Nadu as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal order” he added.
Siddaramaiah was reacting to a question about Tamil Nadu parties alleging that Karnataka had sought the approval for the project by submitting "false details". The PMK and MDMK had on Sunday strongly opposed Karnataka's efforts towards constructing a reservoir at Mekedatu and urged the Centre not to sanction the project.
The State recently has submitted the detailed project report of the Rs 5,912 crore worth Mekedatu project to the Central Water Commission (CWC) for clearance. The drinking water project is expected to help many parched districts of the State. The State would use its share of the water in the reservoir and feed over seven drought stricken districts.
The CM made it clear that the State Government was ready to start the project work at Mekedatu as soon as the approval from the CWC is obtained. For a question on CWC will approve the project with Tamil Nadu’s opposition, he said, “they will approve, why they will notIJ Objection is by Tamil Nadu, but the CWC is Government of India."