MYSURU, Aug 11: A federation of farmers and sugarcane growers on Tuesday criticised the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) order to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu over the next 15 days, saying water was currently flowing downstream because of rainfall and not the committee’s directive.
Farmers’ body rejects CWRC timing, presses for Mekedatu guidance
The demonstration was organised by the Federation of Farmers’ Organisations and the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association in Mysuru. Federation president Kurubur Shanthakumar told reporters the CWRC order had come even as water was already moving into Tamil Nadu “regardless.”
“If rains come, we will release water,”
Mr. Shanthakumar said the committee’s directive should not be treated as the principal reason for the present flows. He argued that the priority ought to be a clear directive on the construction of the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir, contending that the reservoir would allow storage of about 65 tmcft and provide “benefits to both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during crises.”
Bandh call, internal deliberations
The farmers’ leader said the federation would take a final decision on participating in a proposed Karnataka bandh on August 13 after a meeting on Wednesday. He acknowledged that a statewide bandh would affect the public and that the matter would be discussed internally before arriving at an appropriate decision.
- CWRC order: release of 12,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu over 15 days.
- Mekedatu reservoir: proposed balancing reservoir, estimated storage about 65 tmcft (as cited by the federation).
- Next step: farmers’ body to decide on joining the August 13 bandh after internal discussions.
What organisers said and the broader context
Speakers at the demonstration maintained the current downstream flow was weather‑driven rather than an outcome of CWRC instructions. They urged the authorities to prioritise long‑term, structural solutions such as the balancing reservoir at Mekedatu to manage flows in years of deficit and surplus.
The federation’s demand for decisive official guidance on Mekedatu reflects continuing sensitivities around Cauvery management. The group framed the reservoir as a crisis‑management facility that could, in their view, offer storage and distribution benefits across both states.
| Item | Figure / Status |
|---|---|
| CWRC release order | 12,000 cusecs for 15 days |
| Proposed Mekedatu capacity (as cited) | ~65 tmcft |
| Possible bandh | August 13 (decision pending) |
Local impact and immediate implications
Farmers and sugarcane growers in Karnataka are highly sensitive to any direction on inter‑state releases, as allocations directly affect irrigation and standing crops. The federation’s protest signals continued mobilisation among agrarian stakeholders if they perceive decisions as not reflecting ground realities or lacking long‑term remedies.
By focusing criticism on the absence of directions regarding Mekedatu, the farmers’ body is calling for infrastructure solutions rather than short‑term release orders. The federation’s position places pressure on state and central institutions involved in Cauvery administration to clarify plans for reservoir construction and water management protocols.
What to watch next
Officials in Karnataka and members of the federation are due to meet on Wednesday to decide on participating in the proposed bandh. Any escalation, including mass shutdowns or wider protests, would test state administrations’ ability to manage both civic disruption and the technicalities of water sharing under CWRC oversight.
For now, the union of farmers has underlined two demands: recognition that current flows are rain‑induced and urgent, explicit directions on the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir so that both states can plan for future crises.
Selvan Murugesan is the Tamil Nadu correspondent reporting from Mysuru.
