Delta ryots pin hopes on CWRA meet

“The meeting should have been held at least six times from the date of forming the authority. That could have fetched at least 20 TMC water for Tamil Nadu and helped us take up kuruvai cultivation without hesitation,” said P Viswanathan, State president of Tank and River Ayacutdars Welfare Association.

Stating that it was the duty of the State government to ensure water for kuruvai cultivation, he said a state-wide protest would be organised if water is not released on June 12.

“Already, the farmers are struggling to meet their ends as the kuruvai cultivation is expected to be a failure for the eighth consecutive year,” he stressed.

However, Viswanathan expressed satisfaction over the government's move to organise the meeting of CWRA.

He said the government should ensure that the gates of Mettur dam is opened on June 12. “Otherwise we will intensify our protests across the region," he said.