A day after the Supreme Court asked the Centre to issue the final notification on the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award, Opposition parties in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly demanded the government make an all-out effort to ensure that the notification was not issued in its current format.
“It will be a great injustice to the state’s interests,” Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said, while JD(S) floor leader Revanna said that the Apex Court’s direction was a ‘mortal blow’ to the state.
The court had on Monday also directed Karnataka to release 2 tmc feet of water to Tamil Nadu.
Revanna also urged all Lok Sabha members and ministers in the UPA government from the state to resign and exert pressure on the Centre not to notify the final verdict.
Congress deputy leader in the Assembly T B Jayachandra urged the state to explore all options to ensure that the final notification is not issued. He, however, objected to Revanna terming the SC order as a ‘mortal blow’.Leaders opined that the final notification in its present format has not taken into consideration the present water requirements for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar intervened and assured the House that the government was committed to protect the state’s interests. “We will not compromise on the state’s land and water. We will make an all-out effort and explore all possible means to stop the Centre from issuing a final notification,” Shettar said, while assuring that the government will take an unanimous decision after consulting the floor leaders and all party leaders.
“Let there be no doubt on the government’s commitment,” he said, adding that he is willing to take an all-party delegation to the Centre and the Prime Minister to exert pressure.
Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai reiterated that there is no change in the state government’s stand.