Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said he couldn't share more of Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today expressed his inability to release more water from the Cauvery river for irrigating crops in Tamil Nadu, saying his state was facing a water crisis. The Cauvery originates in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal.
"This year our reservoirs are empty. We have to preserve water for drinking purposes, and you are asking for irrigation?" Mr Siddaramaiah said today. He also added the state has "explained ground realities" to the Supreme Court.
Tamil Nadu had recently approached the Supreme Court demanding that Karnataka release more water as per the directions of the Cauvery River Tribunal. Being downstream, the state depends on water from Karnataka for irrigating land spread over 15 lakh acres in the Cauvery basin. Without sufficient water, Tamil Nadu farmers won't be able to sow this season.
Karnataka has blamed the lack of rains this year for its inability to share more Cauvery water. However, Tamil Nadu has alleged that despite claims of water scarcity, Karnataka has been regularly irrigating its lands with water from the river. It's a charge that Karnataka Irrigation Minister MB Patil denied today.
"Whatever we have is only enough for drinking purposes. We have already cautioned our farmers about the situation and the crops they are going to undertake, but Tamil Nadu is asking for irrigation water. It's a difficult situation," Mr Patil said.
Earlier Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had assured farmers in her state of compensation in case of crop failure, while promising to take all legal steps to protect their rights.
"I am confident that we will be able to get our due (of Cauvery water) in tune with the Cauvery Tribunal's final award by getting appropriate orders of the apex court," the Chief Minister had promised.