Farmers’ association warns of protest against DMK

The Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam has said that delta farmers would be left with no option but to raise their voice against the DMK if it continues to promote the idea of formation of a tribunal on Mekedatu Dam issue.

While welcoming the introduction of adjournment motion by DMK MPs in both Houses of Parliament over the issue, the association said that pursuing the formation of a fresh tribunal to settle the issue would only end up depriving Tamil Nadu of its rights over Cauvery river.

Addressing the media at Tiruvarur on Wednesday (July 22), sangam general secretary P. R. Pandian referred to the statement made by Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin on the issue on March 4 that the then Tamil Nadu government had written to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, seeking the constitution of a fresh tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, treating the Mekedatu project as a new dispute.

While the final order of the tribunal formed by former Prime Minister V. P. Singh had resulted in a situation that there would be no more dams across the Cauvery, the plea for a fresh tribunal from DMK would only aid the political parties vying with each other to capture or retain power at the Upper Riparian State and would not bring any succour to Tamil Nadu farmers.

Stating that the DMK’s stance on the issue would only ensure surrendering the rights of Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery river, he said if DMK were to persist its suggestion for fresh tribunal, the delta farmers would be left with no option but to stage protests against the party.

Special Conference

The Sangam would be organising a conference on the effect of El Nino on agriculture operations in the State, particularly in the delta region, where more than 12 lakh acres remain uncultivated in view of poor storage at Stanley Reservoir in Mettur and failure of the monsoon.

Agriculture and Meteorological experts and Ministers from the Tamil Nadu government were expected to participate in the conference to be held at Tiruvarur on August 1, Mr. Pandian said.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers staged a protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) in Tiruvarur over its failure to ensure implementation of the Cauvery Tribunal Award, endorsed by the Supreme Court, by the Upper Riparian State.