Karnataka Must Protect Cauvery Interests, Farmers’ Rights: BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra
Bengaluru, Aug. 2: BJP Karnataka State President B.Y. Vijayendra on Sunday urged the State government to adopt a firm stand to safeguard Karnataka’s interests in the Cauvery water dispute while participating in the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Vijayendra said the State government should not compromise the interests of Karnataka’s farmers under any circumstances. He urged the government to take future decisions after comprehensively assessing the water availability in the Cauvery, Kabini and Hemavathi reservoirs, the State’s drinking water requirements and the needs of farmers.
He stressed the need for Karnataka to pursue the implementation of a “distress formula” for water sharing in the Cauvery dispute. He said the absence of a clear and equitable distress-sharing mechanism during drought conditions was resulting in injustice to Karnataka and called upon the State government to take appropriate legal and administrative measures to strongly defend the State’s rights.
Vijayendra said it was the responsibility of the government to effectively present Karnataka’s case before the Cauvery Water Management Authority and other concerned institutions to protect the State’s interests. He urged the government to accord top priority to safeguarding farmers’ interests and ensuring water security for the State.
On the Mekedatu project, the BJP leader said the government should proceed with caution and long-term planning. He said the project should be taken forward through proper legal procedures and coordinated efforts to ensure that no fresh hurdles or disputes arise during its implementation.
Vijayendra reiterated that the State government must adopt a firm stand without any compromise in protecting Karnataka’s water rights, the livelihood of farmers and the long-term interests of the State.
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