Puducherry CM blames Karnataka, Centre on Cauvery issue

“Due to scarcity of water, the crops in Karaikal and delta region are strained. Farmers were affected because of Karnataka’s adamant stand on water release. It is also Karnataka’s bounden duty to release water to Tamil Nadu and as well as to Puducherry as there is a clear time bound award of rightful water-sharing arrangement to these states. Karnataka should not delay further and efforts should be there to save the farmers,” he said. 

Blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi of dodging the formation of Cauvery Management Board (CMB), Narayanasamy hinted that his stance on the issue would be firm even as the neighbouring Karnataka was ruled by the Congress, which he was part of. He also blamed the Centre on its step-motherly attitude towards non-BJP ruled states and wanted the government to mend its ways. 

“Necessary orders had already been issued by the Supreme Court to set up the CMB. This leads us to wonder as to whether Modi was planning to deceive the people of Tamil Nadu by deliberately delaying the process,” Narayanasamy noted.  He also insisted that the Centre should make efforts to implement the orders of the apex court rather than being a mute spectator in the issue. “The water-sharing dispute has already reached its finality in the SC and the verdict is expected soon,” he observed. 

On the Union Budget, the Puducherry CM said, though the Centre harped on presenting a pro-farmers’ budget, there were no significant packages such as drought, crop failure reliefs and compensation among others. Speaking on the financial crisis in Puducherry, Narayanasamy said that he had already written to the PM seeking necessary package. “I’ve also sought his time to press our demands in person,” he added.