August 20, 2023
Introduction
The Karnataka state government has taken a significant step towards resolving the longstanding water dispute related to the Cauvery (Kaveri) river by convening an all-party meeting scheduled for August 23, 2023. The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, announced this initiative on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of finding a solution to the protracted issue that involves Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
In an effort to ensure comprehensive discussions and a broader perspective, senior Parliament members have also been invited to participate in the upcoming meeting. The meeting aims to engage various political parties and stakeholders to collectively work towards resolving the water disputes associated with the Cauvery river.
Deputy CM Explains
Deputy CM Shivakumar explained, “Karnataka government is calling an all-party meeting on water disputes related to Cauvery… it is on Wednesday (23rd August). I have called some senior Parliament members to be part of the meeting… to seek the solution we have called this meeting.”
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) had recently directed the Karnataka government to release 10,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu over the next 15 days, despite the state grappling with severe water scarcity. In compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive, Karnataka has begun releasing the stipulated amount of water over the past few days. However, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of this decision on the availability of potable water within the state.
“We urge the authority to reconsider the decision (to release water to Tamil Nadu) as it might have a direct impact on the availability of potable water here in Karnataka,” Deputy CM Shivakumar stated, highlighting the pressing nature of the water crisis in certain regions of the state.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also weighed in on the issue, criticizing the Congress government for not adequately representing the concerns of farmers residing in the Cauvery river basin before the CWMA. Bommai urged the government to advocate for the farmers in the Supreme Court, instead of conceding to the authority’s directives, which he labeled as a betrayal.
The Cauvery river, originating in Karnataka and flowing through Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry before draining into the Bay of Bengal, constitutes an interstate basin with complex water-sharing challenges. The total watershed of the Cauvery basin spans over 81,155 square kilometers, encompassing regions in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Pondicherry.
Conclusion
As the all-party meeting approaches, stakeholders anticipate comprehensive discussions aimed at finding an equitable and sustainable resolution to the Cauvery water dispute, which has persisted for decades and has significant implications for the livelihoods and resources of the involved states.
