February 16, 2007
Source: UNI

All-party meeting on Cauvery on Feb 22: Kumaraswamy

Bangalore: Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday announced that an all-party meeting will be convened on February 22 to discuss the future course of action in the light of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final verdict on sharing of the river water among the riparian States.

Kumaraswamy, on his return from New Delhi in the afternoon, told newspersons here that he had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday and discussed the prevailing drought situation in the State. The Cauvery issue did not figure in the meet, he said, adding that he had sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to enable all party leaders from the State to meet him to discuss the issue.

He said the Centre had released Rs 74 crore and 50,000 tons of foodgrains to tackle drought in the State. He had also discussed various proposals pending with various ministries such as railways, energy, housing and industry.

Newly appointed Special Representative in New Delhi Mahima Patel also accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit.

It may be recalled here that the earlier all-party meeting convened by the Government on the issue had to be postponed in view of the death of a Legislator.

Cauvery enrages IT industry; Protests on Feb 18

Bangalore: The 'pro TN' Cauvery Tribunal verdict on sharing of Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has again evoked displeasure among Kannadigas. Protests were held all over the state against the verdict on Feb 12, 2007. But the furore denies to die down. Joining the many Kannada organisations in their protests now are the Kannadiga IT professionals.

A rally will be held by IT Kannadigara Koota, the organisation formed by Kannadiga IT professionals, on Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 10.30 in the morning. The rally will start from MG Road, near the Mahatma Gandhi statue and will end at Raj Bhavan, where Kannadiga IT professionals will share their problems and concerns with the Governor.

On Feb 13, 2007, the Kannada Film industry too had pledged its support and even came down to the streets to show its solidarity with the people of Karnataka. And latest, film actor-turned-politician, Union Minister of State for Information and Boardcasting, M H Ambareesh, too resigned from his post in opposition to the Cauvery verdict.

Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, is home to many big and small IT companies. Now Kannadigas working in these companies are joining hands to protest against this injustice. "We (IT Kannadigas), who have a strong hold statewide, are ready to sacrifice our lives for our farmers and justice on Cauvery," said IT Kannadigara Koota.

The organisation requests all Kannadaiga IT professionals to come forward and contribute for the cause.

'Karnataka not to accept Cauvery award at any cost'

Bangalore: Terming the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal on sharing the river waters as a ''death blow'' to Karnataka, State Water Resources Minister K S Eshwarappa on Thursday declared on the floor of the Legislative Council that the State Government will not accept it at any cost.

Replying to a discussion on the Tribunal's final award under Rule 68, he asserted that the Government was ready to sacrifice anything to safeguard the interests of the State and its farming community, and said the Government would relentlessly wage a legal battle against the verdict.

The Minister said the entire people of the State have resented the ''unfair'' verdict of the Tribunal and the Government would stand by them. The Union Government and the authorities concerned should take note of it and take all measures to undo the ''injustice''.

Eshwarappa claimed that the Tribunal had, in its 1991 interim report, directed Karnataka to release 205 TMC FT of water to Tamil Nadu, but the final verdict had stipulated the release of about 40 TMC FT over and above the interim order which was neither feasible nor acceptable to the State.

He said the Government would convene an all-party meeting, for which farmer leaders and irrigation experts would also be invited to discuss the award and evolve a firm stand on the issue. ''The Government will abide by any decision taken at the meeting.'' Notwithstanding the impact of the Tribunal award, the State Government would make all efforts to desilt over 1,363 tanks coming under the Cauvery basin in the State and complete all the ongoing irrigation projects. The Government would also take the initiative to repair and strengthen the dams and reservoirs in the basin to prevent any seepage of water, he said.

Earlier, various members, including Mukyamanthri Chandru, Vimala Gowda and Aravinda Limbavalli (all BJP), B Gurudev, Chidanand and Chickmadu (all JD-S) and Independent member Arun Machaiah expressed concern over the ''unjust'' verdict.