Southern States - Karnataka   

State's interests not affected: Krishna

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE JAN. 14. The Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, on Tuesday said that by releasing Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu, the State's interests had not been affected and that the people should see reason (in the Government's action).

On his return from Delhi where on Monday he had agreed to release 1,200 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, at an informal meeting with the Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee, the Chief Minister said that there was no order by the Cauvery River Authority. The State had to adhere to the interim order of the Tribunal. "In this backdrop, I have consented to release water,'' he said.Mr. Krishna emphasised that it was the bounden duty of the State to protect its standing crop in 80,000 acres. The Government was aware of the situation and it was its responsibility to save the crops. At the same time, it should ensure drinking water to the people till June this year. Similarly, he said farmers had to keep in mind that their counterparts in Tamil Nadu had taken up sowing in 10 lakh acres.

He said that about 900 cusecs of water was being released daily to the Shivasamudram Hydel Power Station for power generation and this would continue. The State was only releasing 300 cusecs additionally. "This gesture of ours should reassure Tamil Nadu that we, despite facing distress, have helped it.''

Asked about his meeting with the Prime Minister, he said the State had not done a "somersault''. It was his (Mr. Krishna's) view that that issues such as the Cauvery had to be bilaterally resolved or with the help of the Centre. "We have an open mind on the issue. Tamil Nadu is also keen on having a cordial relationship with us." .

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• State's interests not affected: Krishna
• Panel to implement Nanjundappa report
• Call to create awareness on allergic rhinitis
• Udupi Zilla Panchayat President resigns
• Social scientists flay communal politics

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu