BENGALURU: Having lost faith in political parties over averting frequent confrontations between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over sharing of Cauvery waters, a section of farmers in Karnataka are preparing to revive the ‘Cauvery Family’, a non-political forum comprising of farmers’ representatives, hydrology experts, geologists and retired water resources engineers from both states to act as a pressure group to avert any future confrontations.
Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha MLA from Melukote in Mandya district, and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president K S Puttannaiah is preparing the ground to revive the group.
The apolitical platform was formed in 2003 with active participation of farmer leaders and other experts from both the states to find a solution to the Cauvery problem.
“I am frustrated with the frequent fights that have been erupting between the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over sharing of Cauvery water. Farmers have no geographic boundaries, whether they are in Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. It is better if farmers of both states take up a bigger role in averting any confrontation by sharing the available water in a fair manner,” Puttannaiah told Express.
The farmers’ leader discussed his plans with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday and claimed that he has received a favourable response. “I will meet farmers’ representatives in Cauvery basin of Tamil Nadu and also Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa after the situation returns to normalcy in both the states,” he said.
The proposed non-political forum with representatives from both states will frequently tour the Cauvery basin in both the states to understand the ground realities on rainfall, water storage in reservoirs, irrigation needs, crop pattern and drinking water needs to present an impartial picture and present suggestions to avert confrontations during the distress situations like the one that has erupted now, he added.
Earlier in the day, MLAs from Cauvery basin met in the city and decided to intensify the agitation against the release of water to Tamil Nadu. JD(S) MLAs even expressed their readiness to resign from the Assembly to protect the interests of Karnataka farmers.