A day after BJP slammed the Karnataka government for releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu even though the state itself was facing a drought situation, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the state is facing a 40 per cent distress situation in the current year and urged Opposition parties not to indulge in politics in this matter.
Shivakumar who was addressing an all-party meeting to discuss the issues of Cauvery, Mahadayi and Mekedatu projects, said that politics should not be done on matters such as irrigation as the state is facing a drought-like situation.
“There is no compromise on protecting the interests of the state. The government will continue legal battle and all leaders should cooperate and come together to safeguard the interests of the state unitedly,” he said.
This fall has turned out to be a year of crisis because the southwest monsoon didn't impact the Cauvery basin in Karnataka and Kerala regions, said Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty.
There was a shortage of rainfall in the Cauvery basin in June.
On August 10, it directed the release of 15,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery River. After the state registered its protest the quantity of water has been reduced to 10,000 cusecs.
He said that Tamil Nadu is not happy with the development and has appealed Supreme Court for the release of water. The matter is coming before the bench headed by three judges.
With inputs from IANS
