“Hope we can save Kuruvai crop”: TN Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 25 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan reacting to the ongoing protests in Karnataka on the Cauvery Water issue said on Monday that he does not want to comment on the happenings of the other state but he hopes that now that the water is coming to TN, Kuruvai crops can be saved. 

“I don’t want to comment on what’s happening in other states…as per Supreme court order to release water from Cauvery, the water is now coming to Tamil Nadu and now its government’s (of Tamil Nadu) duty to maintain the situation…obeying the order or not is the question of political ethics…” said Durai Murugan.

“We hope that with the released Cauvery water from Karnataka, we can save the Kuruvai cultivation” he added.

Kuruvai, is the short-term paddy crops grown in Cauvery Delta. The health of these crops is dependent on adequate flow of water from the Cauvery river

Earlier DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said that the Tamil Nadu government under MK Stalin was handling the issue diplomatically

“Though Karnataka’s argument is that there is a lack of water in Cauvery at the same time Tamil Nadu is

suffering, the delta farmers are totally dependent on agriculture. Tamil Nadu government is trying through the legal process and in all the possible manner, seeking the support of the Union Govt and Jal Shakti Minister as well as coordinating through all the possible sources to settle this issue amicably” said the DMK MP.

The Supreme Court of India had refused to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Committee (CWMC) as the CWMC had directed the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

The court, however, also declined to entertain an application filed by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day.

Both Karnataka and TN have been witness to protests after Karnataka hardened its stance on sharing Cauvery water citing severe drought in parts of the state.

Earlier during the day, The National South Indian River Interlinking Farmers Association under the leadership of Ayyakannu held a protest in TN’s Trichy by holding parts of the human skeleton and demanded the sharing of Cauvery water.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru pro-Kannada organizations have given a call for a ‘Bengaluru Bandh’ on 26 September. The call comes after Mandya city observed a total bandh on Saturday, protesting against the Supreme Court order.

Speaking on the protests Karnataka CM Siddaramiah appealed to parties not to play politics on the issue. 

“In a democracy there is an opportunity to protest. We are not going to disrupt the protest. But the BJP-JDS party is playing politics in this. There is a hearing before the Supreme Court tomorrow regarding the Cauvery issue.

Our lawyers will present a competent argument” said Siddaramaiah.