Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, has stated that the government is committed to protecting the interests of farmers in the ongoing dispute over the sharing of water from the Cauvery River. Shivakumar emphasized that the government understands how to safeguard the rights of Karnataka’s farmers, accusing the BJP and JDS of engaging in political maneuvering. The dispute has seen demands for 25,000 cusecs of water, but a compromise of 3,000 cusecs was reached, which has now been increased to 5,000 cusecs following a court directive. Shivakumar has appealed for a reduction in this allocation due to the lack of rainfall.
Shivakumar believes that the Mekedatu project is the ultimate solution to resolve the longstanding disagreement. The project aims to develop a reservoir near Kanakapura, which would serve as a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River. This infrastructure would not only provide drinking water to Bengaluru but also support agricultural activities in the Cauvery basin. However, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai criticized the state government, claiming that it had failed to protect the interests of Karnataka’s farmers in inter-state water disputes. Bommai accused the government of being directionless and causing despair among farmers.
The controversy escalated as the Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court, seeking a directive for Karnataka to release 24,000 cusecs of water daily from its reservoirs. In response, Karnataka filed an affidavit opposing Tamil Nadu’s application, arguing that it was based on the assumption of normal rainfall conditions. The Supreme Court, acknowledging its lack of expertise on the issue, requested the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to provide a report on the release of water over the next two weeks. The matter between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has been a source of contention for decades, with the Cauvery River serving as a vital irrigation and drinking water source for millions of people in the region.
To address the water-sharing capacities and disputes, the Indian government established the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 1990. This tribunal was tasked with adjudicating disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges involved in finding a fair solution that takes into account the needs and concerns of all parties involved. The agricultural and ecological impact of water allocation decisions make it a complex issue requiring careful consideration.
