Pramesh S Jain
*Preparations underway to file appeal before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
*Issue to be discussed with Opposition Leaders in Bengaluru.
*Request to Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to assess the ground situation in the Cauvery basin.
*Witnessing the use of pellet guns on Students for the first time in my political life.
Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar said that the Karnataka Government has decided to challenge the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s(CWRC)order directing the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu by filing an appeal before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
Speaking to the media near Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday,the Chief Minister said,”A meeting has been held with the Advocate General,legal experts, and senior officials regarding the CWRC’s order.
Preparations are underway to file an appeal before the CWMA:
Responding to a question on the CWRC’s directive,he said,We have held detailed discussions on the issue.The rain god has not been kind to us,this time.
Earlier,the committee had rejected Tamil Nadu’s request for the release of Cauvery water on two occasions.
However,this time it has directed Karnataka to release water.We have discussed the legal options with Minister Ramalinga Reddy and the concerned officials.”
He further said,”After returning to Bengaluru,we will also discuss this matter with the opposition leaders.
Meanwhile,Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has expressed his desire to meet me.He has written to the Chief Secretary and has also spoken to me over the phone.
I have extended him the respect he deserves and invited him to the meeting.It is our duty to receive guests visiting our State with due courtesy,and all necessary arrangements have been made.”
*Request to CM Vijay to visit the Cauvery basin:
“We have requested Chief Minister Vijay to personally assess the situation in the Cauvery basin.I have also informed him that the Government will make the necessary helicopter arrangements for his visit.He should witness the ground realities himself.Let us see what decision he takes,”he said.
*Use of Pellet Guns on Students:witnessing it for the first time in my political career:
Replying to a question on Rahul Gandhi’s statement in Parliament holding Union Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for the police action against protesting students, Shivakumar said,This is not merely Rahul Gandhi’s statement,it is a national issue.
Although the issue is significant, Rahul Gandhi raised a very fundamental question:Who authorised the use of pellet guns on students? .
The Delhi Police functions under the Central Government.Therefore,it is the responsibility of the Union Home Minister to explain how such an incident occurred.This is the first time in my political career that I have witnessed pellet guns being used against students.”
On the Cabinet expansion,the Chief Minister said, “Discussions have been done.The final round of consultations with the party high command is still pending.Our leaders have informed us that they will soon convene a meeting for further discussions.”
