Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Apr 27: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has called for postponing the : upcoming meeting of the Cauvery Management Authority (CMA), citing the absence of elected governments in key stakeholder regions due to ongoing Assembly election processes.
In a statement, Tamil Nadu CPM State secretary P. Shanmugam urged that the Authority’s 50th meeting, scheduled in New Delhi on April 29, be deferred until after the formation of new governments in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, where election results are expected on May 4.
Shanmugam emphasized that the Cauvery water-sharing issue involves multiple stakeholders, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry, and requires decisions to be taken with the participation of duly elected representatives. Holding such a meeting in their absence, he argued, would not be appropriate.
He also pointed out that the CMA plays a crucial role in implementing water-sharing arrangements, including ensuring that Karnataka releases 177.25 thousand million cubic feet of water annually to Tamil Nadu, as directed by the Supreme Court of India. The Authority also acts as a platform for resolving interstate disputes and reviewing compliance.
Raising additional concerns, the CPM leader noted that the agenda for the April 29 meeting had not been made public. Without clarity on the issues to be discussed, officials attending the meeting may not be able to present well-informed positions, especially in the absence of political guidance.
He cautioned that decisions taken without consultation with elected leadership might not adequately reflect the interests of the concerned states. Stressing the sensitivity of the Cauvery dispute, he said that such matters require accountability and active involvement from political representatives.
The party has therefore urged the central government to reschedule the meeting after the new administrations take office, ensuring proper representation and informed decision-making on the long-standing interstate water issue.