SALEM: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday accused the Tamil Nadu government of failing to act effectively to secure the state's share of Cauvery water and urged it to approach the Supreme Court along with delta farmers over the shortage. He also demanded that the government take an all-party delegation to the centre and oppose Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu Dam project.
Speaking to reporters in Edappadi in Salem after participating in an event where thousands of functionaries from other parties joined the PMK, Anbumani said Karnataka was not releasing TN's due share despite the SC's order and the Cauvery water-sharing schedule.
He said Tamil Nadu should have received around 70 TMC of water during the past three months but had received only about 7 TMC, while the current inflow is around 14,000 cusecs. "Karnataka is not obeying the SC's mandate. The TN government should not remain silent and must act quickly to protect the state's rights," he said.
"The shortage has severely affected Kuruvai cultivation in the delta region. The Mettur Dam, normally opened on June 12 for Kuruvai cultivation, could not be opened on time due to inadequate storage. While around 6.5 lakh acres were cultivated under Kuruvai every year, the area fell to around two lakh acres this year," he said.
"The Tamil Nadu government should approach the Supreme Court along with delta farmers over the losses suffered in Kuruvai cultivation due to Karnataka's failure to release the state's due share of Cauvery water. We should seek compensation for the losses caused by the water shortage," Anbumani said. He also expressed concern over the prospects for Samba cultivation, saying changing weather patterns could affect rainfall in the coming months.
On Mekedatu, he said the centre should not approve the Detailed Project Report submitted by Karnataka. He questioned Karnataka's claim that the proposed reservoir would mainly meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs. "If Karnataka's requirement is only around 4.5 TMC, why does it need a dam with a storage capacity of around 70 TMC," he asked.
He urged Chief Minister Vijay to convene an all-party meeting and take leaders of all parties to meet the prime minister and union water resources minister to oppose the project. He also called upon the Congress to maintain the same stand on Mekedatu in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Anbumani also said the PMK has worked for Tamil Nadu for 38 years, particularly on water management and farmers' issues, and was the first to demand protected agricultural zone status for the Cauvery delta. He expressed confidence that a PMK-led government would be formed in 2031 and said its MLAs were focusing on public issues in the Assembly rather than personal attacks.
He alleged corruption in more than 20 departments under the previous DMK government, particularly mines, PWD and highways and demanded action be taken sooner. He also called for stronger legal action to protect the state's hills and mineral resources.