TNCC president criticises DK Shivakumar over Mekedatu dam remarks
Tamil Nadu Congress leader Manickam Tagore says the Karnataka Chief Minister's stance on the dam project violates Supreme Court directives.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President Manickam Tagore on Saturday condemned Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for his recent comments regarding the Mekedatu dam project. According to Rediff, Tagore criticised Shivakumar for asserting that the construction of the dam across the Cauvery River cannot be prevented.
The remarks were made by Shivakumar during an event in Mysuru in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shivakumar requested assistance from the Union government to secure necessary clearances for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, stating that the Supreme Court had ruled the dam should be built in Karnataka.
Tagore alleged that the Chief Minister's position violates the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and Supreme Court directives. He stated that the project is illegal and would harm the livelihoods of farmers in the delta districts of Tamil Nadu.
The TNCC President said the stance goes against federalism and urged the central government not to grant approval without the consent of lower-riparian states. He added that the Tamil Nadu government would not allow the project to proceed.
The Mekedatu project remains a point of dispute between the two states. Karnataka maintains the reservoir is necessary to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and act as a buffer during scarcity, while Tamil Nadu opposes it due to potential impacts on its farmers.
Tagore said he intended to travel to Thanjavur to discuss the matter in detail.