Cauvery Dispute: Tamil Nadu Farmers Demand Immediate Federal Action on Water Release
P.R. Pandian has urged the CWMA to enforce the latest water release orders or seek Union government intervention against Karnataka. The directive requires the daily release of 3,500 cusecs for 15 days to address regional shortages.
Execution Needed on 4 TMCFT Directive
P.R. Pandian, representing the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu, called on the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) this Wednesday to guarantee the implementation of the newest regulatory orders. Following a New Delhi meeting on Tuesday, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) instructed Karnataka to discharge 3,500 cusecs of water daily over a 15-day period. This translates to approximately 4 tmcft of water required for Tamil Nadu as the basin grapples with drought conditions.
Federal Intervention Proposed
Speaking from Azhiyur, Pandian emphasized that if Karnataka fails to comply with the CWRC mandate, the CWMA must request direct assistance from the Union government. He argued that the authority must use every available channel to ensure the water actually reaches the downstream state. The president of the farmers' association warned that bureaucratic directives have little value without active enforcement mechanisms during these periods of scarcity.
Political Unity and the Mekedatu Conflict
Addressing the broader political climate, Pandian highlighted the shared stance of both the Congress and the BJP regarding the construction of a dam at Mekedatu. He issued a sharp rebuke against efforts to split Tamil Nadu's parliamentary representatives along party lines over this water security issue. Specific demands were directed toward the Congress leadership, with Pandian stating that the high command should explicitly order the Karnataka Chief Minister to follow the CWRC directive without further delay.
Source: The Hindu — News
