The weak southwest monsoon and the reduced inflow into reservoirs, leaves the state with no option but to stop release of water to Tamil Nadu this year, said water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with the law minister, chief secretary and irrigation department officials, Mr Bommai said the chief secretary will make clear Karnataka’s stand before the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) meeting to be held at Delhi on Thursday. “On Friday, we will submit before the Supreme Court that Karnataka cannot release water to Tamil Nadu in future due to a distress situation. We have complied with the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) directions as far as possible, so there is no question of disobeying the order of the Prime Minister,” he explained.
“Karnataka will place all relevant material before the CMC meeting and the apex court regarding water availability before and after the CRA order. We will explain how attempts to implement the CRA order have adversely affected drinking water and irrigation needs,” Mr Bommai said, adding that he had decided to write to the Prime Minister requesting him to review his order ordering Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to go in for cloud seeding to induce artificial rain in the drought-affected Cauvery basin. The tender has been awarded to Agni Aviation, which has been given one month to start cloud seeding. The state has to obtain the clearance of the Director-General of Civil Aviation, department of telecommunications and ministry of home affairs for this.