MYSURU: With the Supreme Court making ‘passing remarks’ on formation of Cauvery Management Board and asking the four riparian states to give replies in writing to apex court has triggered apprehensions among residents of Mysuru and Mandya districts.
People of the region who are celebrating Dasara with pomp after three years of consecutive drought are a worried lot as the apex court has asked Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry to file written affidavits before October 24.Though Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has opposed constitution of Cauvery Management Board in the interest of the farming community, the final verdict favouring constitution of the board in the election year would mean major trouble for the Congress government. The verdict will be make or break poll prospects for Congress in the old Mysuru region where the rural economy depends on Cauvery water.
Karnataka that uses around 150 tmcft of water for kharif crop may lose its share for rabi as there is no specific allocation. The move would give Tamil Nadu an edge as it would be entitled to utilise surplus water other than the allocated share to Karnataka as the board will decide on release of water from reservoirs and not the Karnataka irrigation authorities.
Meanwhile, Cauvery Raitha Hitha Rakshana Samithi president G Made Gowda said the apex court hinting at setting up of the Cauvery Management Board is worrisome. Any injustice to Karnataka will have a serious backlash by the people of the state, he said.