Vinod M Jain
*How is it possible to hold back water from a full reservoir?.
*Don’t go to where water is flowing.
*Victory in Mekedatu case in Supreme Court.
“When the Kabini reservoir becomes full,water must be released.It’s not possible to hold it back.I humbly request that the decision to protest against water release be abandoned,”said Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
He was responding to media on Saturday at Mysuru Airport.
Regarding protests about Cauvery water release,he said, “Officials are providing hourly updates about water inflow into Kabini reservoir.
The inflow has reached 40,000 cusecs.Nature belongs to no one.We live according to nature’s rules.Even if we decide not to release water,when the reservoir is full it cannot hold any more water.
Protesters should not go near where water is being released.You could be swept away by the water’s force. No one should lie down to block the water.”
“Our friends are saying they will protest and call for a bandh to prevent water from being released to Tamil Nadu.
Every protest needs a valid reason.In a democracy,every protest deserves respect.But we don’t need protests now.There should be no trouble to the legal framework or to people’s lives.
All people live in this state.We have welcomed everyone happily.We are all citizens of the same country, including those in Tamil Nadu,”he stated.
“During the times of Bangarappa,S M Krishna, Siddaramaiah,and Deve Gowda,when difficulties arose, decisions were taken according to the situation.
We do not say what we did was right and what they did was wrong.There is an order to release 177 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu.
The Supreme Court has also supported this.We must respect the court’s order.At the same time,we must protect our farmers.
Our government is committed to protecting our farmers’ interests.This order is beneficial to both states,”he opined.
“A balanced verdict to protect both states has been given before.A detailed analysis has been done on how constructing a balanced dam would benefit everyone.
Many,including Prahlad Joshi and Basavaraj Bommai in Delhi,have made every possible effort on the Cauvery water issue.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority has information on how much water is in each reservoir. Compared to other situations,we haven’t even released half the water,and our request has been rejected,”he said.
BJP is doing politics:
“The BJP is doing politics on the Cauvery issue.I have also noted Kumaraswamy’s statement.Tamil Nadu’s MPs and leaders of various parties are fighting for their political existence.
They also have full awareness.Previously,they suggested building a dam in your constituency.There are records of this,”he said.
Victory in Mekedatu case in Supreme Court:
“We have achieved a major victory in the Supreme Court on the Mekedatu issue.In Parliament too,a very good response has been given regarding what the law says about building a dam in their place,”he said.
“Regarding Tungabhadra, under the leadership of Union Water Power Minister C R Patil,the chief ministers of three states held a meeting and decided to construct a balanced dam.
They have also indicated they will form committees.This is a historic decision taken after I became Chief Minister. A historic step,”he said.
“The Tamil Nadu CM said he would visit the state on August 3.But the situation here isn’t suitable because any discussions should happen peacefully and amicably. Both our situation and theirs is known.
If the problem can be resolved through talks,let it be resolved.Let them get their rights.We will never obstruct that.Let us get the rights given to us by the court.
We believe everyone will cooperate in this.The date for Vijay’s visit will be fixed when all conditions are suitable,” he said.
When asked if water would be released to Tamil Nadu, he said,”In an all-party meeting, the words of former chief ministers,leaders, and legal experts will be heard. On one side, Yediyurappa and Vijayendra are helping.
On the other side,MPs and ministers are helping Karnataka in Parliament.”
When asked if his opinion was that the Cauvery Water Management Authority is a good thing,he said,The media itself can observe and conclude how much water was released last year and how much is being released this year.
There are records that when there was no board, decisions were made to release 16 TMC of water.Tamil Nadu had requested 9,000 cusecs, but an order has been given to release 3,500 cusecs.”
When asked if he would offer prayers in Kabini,he said, “Not now, wait.Even without any reason, they’re already attacking us.”
“This is my first visit to Mysuru as Chief Minister at an auspicious time.I will pay respects to Chamundeshwari Devi.
From the soil of Mysuru,Swami Vivekananda once gave a great message.Even in those days,our Mysuru Maharajas made great educational and cultural contributions to this state.
The encouragement they gave for the state’s development cannot be forgotten by anyone.Baba Saheb said one who forgets history cannot create history,”he said.
