Bengaluru: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday said the Karnataka government’s priority is to resolve the Cauvery water-sharing dispute through dialogue rather than confrontation, while making it clear that the state’s interests and drinking water security would not be compromised.
Speaking after the all-party meeting on the Cauvery issue, the Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had expressed willingness to hold talks, but Karnataka had requested that the meeting be held after the present situation improves. He noted that rainfall has increased in the Cauvery basin, including Kodagu, and the state’s reservoirs currently hold around 57 TMC of water.
Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu had sought the release of 9.9 TMC of water despite Karnataka facing drought-like conditions. Although the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) issued directions on water release, the Karnataka government has already challenged the order to safeguard the state’s interests.
The Chief Minister also appreciated Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil for extending cooperation to Karnataka on issues including Krishna river water sharing, restoration of the Tungabhadra crest gate, the Navile balancing reservoir and river-linking projects.
He said the Kabini reservoir is now full, resulting in the release of excess inflows as part of the natural flow. Water has already been released into the KRS and Kabini canals, helping protect standing crops.
Reiterating the government’s stand, Shivakumar said every decision would be taken by giving top priority to drinking water needs, while also protecting the interests of farmers and pursuing an amicable settlement of the long-standing inter-state river dispute.
