HASSAN: Refusing to comment on Friday's decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal to direct the Centre to appoint a three-member expert committee to go into the cropping pattern and water requirements of four riparian States, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said that there was no option except to wait for the final verdict.

After participating in a Karnataka Development Programmes (KDP) meeting here on Saturday, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that it was not correct to comment on the decision of the tribunal.

"However, the Government will not spare any attempt in protecting the interest of farmers," he added.

Reacting to the ultimatum given by the Congress to the Government to withdraw the State High Level Clearance Committee's decision to allot 5,040 acres of land in and around Bangalore, reportedly to "real estate developers", he clarified that the Government had not taken any decision in this regard.

Referring to Congress allegations that the Karnataka Development Front (KDF) Government was selective in stopping mining, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that there was no need for the Government to do so, as its only aim was integrated development of the State. "Let those making allegations visit Bellary and other places and find out whether or not illegal mining is going on there. The Government has not prevented those with valid licences from mining," he said.

On violence in Bangalore after Rajkumar's death, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that the Government had not received the "complete report" from the Police Commissioner, who was inquiring into the incident.

Responding to a question on delay in Cabinet expansion, Mr. Kumaraswamy said that in all probability the Cabinet would be expanded by the second week of May.

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