Karnataka Govt to protect livelihood of farmers: CM

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said that his Government has a dual challenge of protecting the livelihood of farmers and also abiding by the law on the issue of releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Invoking rain gods to emerge from the crisis, the CM assured the State’s farmers that their livelihood would be kept in mind while taking decisions on the matter.

He also asserted that the state’s interests will be protected when it comes to the implementation of the Mekedatu project.

“Our dams have not filled yet. We have two big challenges: Releasing water to Tamil Nadu, abiding by the law, and protecting our farmers. Certainly we will protect the interests of our farmers. It is my duty too,” Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters after visiting a temple at Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, he said the Government has a duty to provide water for drinking and agriculture. “Depending on the availability of water at dams, we have to release it to farmers for their crops. Our wish is that there should be good rainfall, crops should flourish, and farmers should have food and livelihood,” he added.

Noting that the Supreme Court has stated there is no objection to constructing any dam within the state, the CM, while speaking on the Mekedatu project said, the Central Government also made this clear when responding to a Tamil Nadu MP’s query in the Parliament.

He further asserted that he and his government were committed to protecting the interests of the state on this matter.

Mekedatu is a multi-purpose project (drinking water and power) proposed by Karnataka, which involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Bengaluru South district. Tamil Nadu opposes the project, fearing that the state would be affected if it is built.

Reiterating that the construction of the Mekedatu project will not affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of 177.25 TMC of water, Shivakumar said, there are separate formulas for water sharing during distress years.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority has issued certain directions. “If there is any crisis, a situation may come where we may have to give the dam keys to the Centre. That should not happen. We have to protect the livelihood of our farmers and also protect and abide by the law. This is very important. To overcome all these, we need blessings of rain gods and all of us should pray for them,” he said.

The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), which met in New Delhi last Tuesday, asked Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water per day starting August 12 for the next 15 days.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), the appellate body, subsequently upheld this decision.

The state government has planned to appeal against the CWMA’s order in the Supreme Court.

Responding to a question on BJP national general secretary B L Santosh’s reported statement that the RSS will not register, in the wake of the state government’s proposed Bill against unauthorised use of public property -- allegedly aimed at curtailing the Sangh’s activities -- Shivakumar said, there is no need for the RSS or Santosh to worry.

He added that the proposed legislation is not aimed at anyone, and everyone should function according to the law.

“We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Whichever religion or organisation, they must follow law... If an organisation submits an application seeking permission from the government, the necessary permission and staff arrangements will be provided according to the rules,” he said.

Responding to a question on Santosh’s statement, Shivakumar said, “He is a senior leader. Let us also listen to his guidance. We have only provided greater clarity regarding the provisions that already exist in the law. Nobody needs to panic.”

Noting that Minister Krishna Byre Gowda also obtained government permission to organise the “Freedom Habba” on the occasion of Independence Day in front of Vidhana Soudha on Saturday, the CM said, whether it is the JD(S), BJP, Congress or any other organisation, everyone is allowed to conduct programmes within the framework of the law.