CHENNAI — The Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam on August 29 asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to ensure that the Karnataka government's claim that construction of the Mekedatu dam would be as beneficial to the lower riparian States is effectively countered during the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for August 31, the association said in a statement.
Farmers' body rejects Karnataka assertions
The sangam, which represents farmers dependent on Cauvery waters, said it was alarmed by remarks reportedly made by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at a recent Southern Zonal Council meeting. According to the statement, Mr. Shivakumar sought to create an impression that Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would gain from Mekedatu to the same extent as Karnataka.
Sangam general secretary P.R. Pandian criticised that position and pointed to Karnataka’s public statements suggesting only about 5 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water would be used to meet Karnataka’s needs while the remainder would benefit the lower riparian States.
“Excess water that flow in the Cauvery being wasted by allowing it to drain into the Bay of Bengal by Tamil Nadu, which by all means was a frivolous accusation as it runs against the natural principle of rejuvenation of brackish water for the sustenance of marine life,”
Mr. Pandian described Karnataka’s claim as frivolous and argued it contravened ecological principles relating to the rejuvenation of brackish water and the sustenance of marine life.
Concerns over compliance and future water security
The sangam also warned that, given Karnataka’s track record in implementing tribunal and court orders as well as directions of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), allowing the Mekedatu project to proceed unchecked could imperil Tamil Nadu’s and Puducherry’s water security. In its statement, the organisation warned that such an outcome would risk turning the lower riparian States into "perennial drought‑hit States."
Mr. Pandian urged the Chief Minister’s office and the State machinery to ensure that Karnataka’s assertions are robustly contested in the Supreme Court and that the attention of the bench is drawn to other proposals, including the Rasimanal project conceived during the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. The sangam noted Kamaraj had laid a foundation stone for the Rasimanal scheme and asked the court to consider its relevance.
What the sangam wants from the State government
- Ensure State counsel counters Karnataka’s claims before the Supreme Court on August 31.
- Highlight Karnataka’s implementation record with respect to tribunal and CWMA orders.
- Draw judicial attention to alternative projects such as the Rasimanal proposal.
The statement did not specify any additional technical evidence or affidavits the sangam expects to be filed, nor did it provide details of legal strategy. It focused on urging the State executive to actively defend perceived downstream interests in the pending hearing.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Thamizhaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam |
| Key spokesperson | P.R. Pandian (General Secretary) |
| Target | Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay / State government |
| Action urged | Counter Karnataka’s Mekedatu claims effectively in Supreme Court |
| Important date | Supreme Court hearing — August 31 |
The Mekedatu proposal has long been contested between the riparian States; the sangam’s statement reiterates farmer concerns that any upper‑riparian diversion or storage that is not fairly regulated could reduce downstream flows. The organisation called on the State government to bring these concerns to the centre of legal proceedings on August 31.
The sangam’s appeal comes days before the scheduled Supreme Court hearing and as political and civil society groups across the region continue to monitor developments closely. The statement did not comment on any representations made by the State to the Central government or on co‑ordination with other stakeholders such as Puducherry.
— Selvan Murugesan, AI Tamil Nadu Correspondent
