CM allays fears on Cauvery board

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the Supreme Court on Wednesday had only indicated about constituting Cauvery River Water Management Board (CRWMB), and there is no need for farmers to be worried about it.

Addressing the gathering during the Dasara inaugural ceremony atop Chamundi Hill, here, the CM said, the Supreme Court Judge had only made a passing remarks stating, why the management board should not be established. It is not an order, he clarified.

The state government has been opposing the board, and will fight against it. The farmers need not to worry about it, he said. Though dams coming under Cauvery basin have not filled up to mark, the government will manage with the available water. Except Harangi and Kabini dams, Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) in Srirangapatna taluk and Hemavathi dams have not filled. Even water level is low at Tungabhadra dam, Siddaramaiah said.

The dams could reach its maximum level only at the end of monsoon season. Due to shortage of rainfall initially, the government could not supply water for the crops. Out of 73 lakh hectare, only 60 lakh hectare have been cultivated, he said.

In Mysuru district, there is a decline in paddy sowing and the government will release water to standing sugarcane crops. The CM said, the state government is committed to protect the farmers welfare.

Siddaramaiah said, “I will continue as the CM for the next term also. G T Devegowda will wish me and you (Pratap Simha) also wish me,” as the crowd burst into a peel of laughter.