The Tamil Nadu government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on December 11 over a judgment delivered last month regarding Karnataka’s proposal over constructing a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan said on Friday.
The Tamil Nadu government has also submitted a representation to the Central Water Commission on December 9 underlining as to how Karnataka’s proposal to construct a dam at Mekedatu would affect Tamil Nadu, the Minister said in a statement.
“The Tamil Nadu government has been undertaking consistent steps in protecting the welfare of farmers in the Cauvery delta region. The Tamil Nadu government would never allow the Karnataka government’s efforts [with regard to its proposal to construct a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu],” Mr. Duraimurugan contended.
Pointing to certain parts of the Supreme Court judgment delivered last month, Mr. Duraimurugan said they were contrary to the provisions in the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on February 16, 2018. Following the advice of legal experts and the direction of the Chief Minister, the Tamil Nadu government has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on December 11, the Minister said.
EPS expresses concern
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday expressed concern over the reported move of the Karnataka government to set up a technical team to expedite the work regarding the Mekedatu drinking water-cum-balancing reservoir project.
In a post on X, Mr. Palaniswami found fault with the DMK regime for its approach on the issue which, according to him, had paved the way for the present development. It had become “customary” for the DMK regime to “compromise” on the State’s rights in respect of the Cauvery dispute.
The State government should, hereafter, take legal steps to safeguard the rights of Tamil Nadu, he added.
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran deplored the Karnataka government move over the matter and apprehended that if the project fructified, the Cauvery delta would become a “desert.” He wanted the DMK government to act so that the efforts of the neighbouring State were nipped in the bud.
