BJP, JD(S) caution Karnataka Govt against complacency over Cauvery rains
Opposition BJP and the JD(S) on Sunday urged the Karnataka Government to vigorously defend the State’s interests before the Supreme Court, prioritise farmers over reservoir storage after the recent rains, and provide immediate compensation to cultivators who suffered crop losses due to water scarcity.
At the all-party meeting on the Cauvery water-sharing issue convened by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said the recent rainfall should not be seen as a permanent solution to the dispute.
They called for better water management and protection of Karnataka’s drinking water and irrigation interests.
“We should not become complacent just because the rains have filled the reservoirs. Water should first be supplied to farmers, and the Government must immediately announce fair compensation for farmers who have suffered crop losses,” Kumaraswamy said.
Addressing the all-party meeting, Kumaraswamy, who is the JD(S) second-in-command, said the rainfall had brought only temporary relief, and the Government should remain vigilant.
“It is true that the rains have come to our rescue. But we should not lower our guard in the coming days. Along with ensuring drinking water, it is the Government’s responsibility to provide water to farmers. We should not behave as though we have escaped the crisis simply because it has rained,” he said.
He alleged that the Government had failed to assess the water situation correctly and that its decision to withhold irrigation water had resulted in crop losses in the Cauvery and Tungabhadra command areas. Kumaraswamy demanded immediate and just compensation for the affected farmers.
On the Mekedatu project, Kumaraswamy said Karnataka should incorporate the suggestions made by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda while preparing the revised Detailed Project Report.
He noted that Deve Gowda had recommended providing gates to store 30 TMC of water in the first phase and had discussed the proposal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil.
Warning against assuming that the Cauvery issue had ended with the recent rains, Kumaraswamy said, “Just because it has rained now, we should not think the problem has been resolved.”
“The situation has eased only temporarily, and there is no guarantee that the rains will continue in the coming days,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Bommai said the Government must place comprehensive data before the Supreme Court during the upcoming hearing on the Cauvery dispute.
“Good rainfall in the Cauvery basin is nature’s temporary relief to the water scarcity. However, this is only a temporary respite and not a permanent solution. The State Government must present proper arguments in the Supreme Court based on comprehensive data available with it,” Bommai said.
He criticised the Government for projecting the reduction in water release to Tamil Nadu as an achievement, while farmers had not received irrigation water.
“If water had been released to farmers, canals and lakes, it could have been called an achievement. Boasting about an achievement without releasing a single drop of water from the Krishna Raja Sagara dam to our farmers is unacceptable,” he said.
Bommai sought adequate compensation for farmers affected by the Government’s advisories against sowing and urged protection of drinking water and irrigation requirements in Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru, reiterated the BJP’s support in principle for the Mekedatu project.
The BJP MP said water from the KRS reservoir should be prioritised for farmers, canals, lakes and drinking water until the reservoir reaches full capacity.
The proposed Mekedatu project remains a contentious issue in the Cauvery dispute, with Karnataka saying it is vital for Bengaluru’s drinking water needs.
