Farmers hail Centre’s act of posting K’taka members

As Karnataka was delaying the nomination of its representatives contending that the issue should be debated in Parliament, the Centre had unilaterally announced the representatives for Karnataka to form the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery water Regulation Committee. 

The farmers of Tamil Nadu who were dejected over Karnataka refusing to nominate its member and causing delay in the setting up of the authority were happy over the  unexpected move of the Union government. 

The storage in Mettur dam had crossed 50 feet but water could be released only if it reaches 90 feet. So, the farmers are looking at the Centre to convene the Cauvery Water Management Authority meeting as soon as possible to take stock of the situation and order water release from Karnataka dams. 

Usually, the date of water release from Mettur dam for Kuruvai crop is June 12, but cultivation could be taken up even if the release is delayed by a month. 

For the last six years, the state had lost Kuruvai crops since water was not released from Karnataka. Welcoming the Union government’s move, All Farmers Organisation Committee president PR Pandian urged the authority chairman Masood Hussain to act speedily to ensure water for both Kuruvai and Samba cultivation. 

Hailing the Centre’s ‘lightning action’ despite Karnataka’s refusal to appoint members, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami who worked for the authority formation. He also thanked Leader of Opposition MK Stalin and all other party leaders who supported the cause.