State failed its people on Cauvery: Siddaramaiah

The Karnataka government has been criticised for adequately failing to represent the woes of the people before the Cauvery River Authority and the Supreme Court.

Addressing reporters in Kolar on Sunday, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah, revealed that Congress leader had dubbed the State government’s response to the Tamil Nadu government’s application seeking Cauvery water as insufficient. “It is saddening that senior lawyer Nariman and his team have failed to present the State’s case,” Siddaramaiah said.

As many as 43 taluks that come under the Cauvery command area are reeling under the effects of drought. And only 69 tmc ft of water is available in the Cauvery basin reservoirs.

“Farmers in the State need 155 tmc ft of water for irrigation, while another 35 tmc ft of water is needed for drinking needs. There is also a shortage of 85 tmc ft of water in the river basin. That being the case, how can the State release water to Tamil Nadu?” he asked.

Noting that the Congress always supported the struggle of farmer, Siddaramaiah said that farmers in the State have been facing injustice since 1924.

“Our farmers continue to be in a disadvantageous position due to impractical agreements which were agreed upon then,” he said and recommended that a forum be created to tackle the Cauvery water sharing issue.

Siddaramaiah added that it is strange how the issue of water sharing becomes aggravated under Jayalalitha’s reign in Tamil Nadu.

On BSY

Siddaramaiah reiterated that the Congress is not desperate enough to take a corrupt politician like Yeddyurappa into its fold.

On the controversy surrounding the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president’s post, he said that it was wrong to give a ‘caste’ tinge to the issue, just because a leader sought the post.