New Delhi: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has said that the Supreme Court did not state that approval from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry is required to build the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery.
“In the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict on the Cauvery issue, did the central government know that it had said Karnataka must obtain the approval of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry before constructing any kind of structure across the Cauvery? Has Karnataka obtained such approval? The Jal Shakti Minister should provide these details,” PMK MP Anbumani asked in the Rajya Sabha.
In response, Union Minister of State for the Jal Shakti Department Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary said yesterday: In the Supreme Court’s verdict delivered on Feb. 16, 2018, regarding the Cauvery issue, it is nowhere mentioned that Karnataka must obtain the consent of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry to construct any structure across the Cauvery.
As part of the tribunal’s verdict, it has been clarified that there are no restrictions on using Cauvery water for their needs, including drinking water, within the areas under their jurisdiction in their respective states, as well as for enjoying its benefits and implementing projects. Regarding the Mekedatu dam, the project report was submitted. It has been ordered that a detailed report on it be filed with the tribunal’s approval. In the past June, the water inflow that Karnataka was required to ensure at Biligundulu was 9.19 TMC. But only 2.195 TMC arrived. In July, 31.24 TMC was supposed to arrive. But only 0.459 TMC arrived. He said this.
