Tamil Nadu   

State files fresh plea before Cauvery tribunal

J. Venkatesan

Seeks to restrain Karnataka from taking up irrigation schemes

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Government filed a fresh application on Friday before the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal to restrain Karnataka from taking up, executing or commissioning any new check dams or irrigation works and/or lift irrigation schemes creating new ayacut.

In its application, Tamil Nadu submitted that the Tribunal in its final award had rejected all the lift irrigation schemes except Somwarpet lift irrigation scheme on humanitarian grounds to provide continued sustenance to the people displaced by the Harangi project. In view of this order, the extent of 45,000 acres under lift irrigation had not been permitted. If Karnataka was allowed to proceed with the schemes it would result in increasing the extent of irrigation not permitted by the Tribunal.

The application referred to news reports that Karnataka had taken up six lift irrigation schemes, which would rejuvenate 1,262 tanks in the Cauvery basin at a cost of Rs. 657.73 crore. It was also stated that Karnataka had taken up construction of check dams near the Cauvery river, disturbing regular flow of water to the neighbouring States under the guise of hydel projects near Sivasamudram Falls in the Karnataka forest area without disclosing the purpose of the scheme.

The present proposal of Karnataka to take up these projects would, besides being contrary to the final award, would affect the interests of downstream State of Tamil Nadu. Further the unilateral action on the part of Karnataka in committing themselves to these lift irrigation projects and rejuvenation and desiltation of tanks leading to creation of additional storage and utilisation of the scarce waters of river Cauvery and extension of irrigation to new areas not contemplated and considered by the Tribunal.

Tamil Nadu contended that taking up these projects would create expectations in the minds of the people of Karnataka, which could not be fulfilled and might lead to unnecessary friction between the people of the two States. Tamil Nadu also pointed out that it had filed a clarification application with a specific prayer to restrain Karnataka from increasing the minor irrigation area.

Tamil Nadu addressed letters to the Centre on May 21 and 22 objecting to the schemes undertaken by Karnataka. In spite of the objection, Karnataka was proceeding with the execution of these projects without furnishing any details to Tamil Nadu. The execution of these projects would be in utter violation of the final award. Hence the present application.

Tamil Nadu wanted the tribunal to ask the assessors to inspect the various lift irrigation schemes and other works being undertaken by Karnataka and file a report. Besides seeking stay on the execution of the projects, Tamil Nadu also sought a direction to restrain Karnataka from taking up desiltation of minor irrigation tanks in the Cauvery basin and thereby increasing the impounding of waters and utilisation thereunder.

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