MYSORE: `Cauvery Family' — a farmers' forum comprising leaders of the farming community from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu — has resolved to continue to function even after the declaration of the final award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) on February 5.

The forum, which is looking forward to the final award with an open mind, has appealed to the people of both States to remain calm.

S. Janakarajan, Convenor, Cauvery Family, told The Hindu that it had both short and long term agenda. The short-term agenda was to contribute to the resolution of long-standing dispute.

Even if there were differences, the members of the Family have agreed to come back to the forum and resolve the issue in the best interest of both the populations. The long-term agenda was to achieve sustainable agriculture with sustainable use of water.

It was the ninth meeting of the Cauvery Family since its formation in 2003. The Forum was floated to safeguard the interest of farmers in the Cauvery delta.

The meeting was attended by technical advisor of the Forum, and former Irrigation Secretary to the Union Government, Ramaswamy R. Iyer, Convener of the Forum, Janakarajan, farmer leaders of Tamil Nadu, Rangaanathan, Ganapathi, Ajithan, Gandhipitan, Dhanpal, Vimalanathan and Revathi and president, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, K.S. Puttannaiah, Prof. H.L. Keshavamurthy, B.B. Subbaiah, Sunanda Jayaram and K. Boraiah representing farmers of Karnataka.

They said that it was imperative for the farmers to repose faith in each other, as there was every possibility under law to find an amicable solution to any vexed issue, including the sharing of water.

There was no reason for the people to get agitated under any circumstances and the need of the hour was to maintain peace and harmony, they added.

There was no reason for farmers to take to the streets to set things right, as the final verdict could be questioned within 90 days of its pronouncement, they said.

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