Centre-mediated Cauvery talks make no headway

Talks between the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on sharing of the Cauvery waters seem not to have made much headway.

Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who mediated the discussions between the two States, made a passionate appeal to the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain peace and cordial atmosphere, and said the Supreme Court would take a final decision on the matter.

Bharti said she may even start a hunger strike if peace is not maintained by the people of two States. “I am ready to go on an indefinite hunger strike along the border between the two States, if the problem persists,” Bharti told reporters after a four-hour-long meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and PWD Minister of Tamil Nadu EK Palaniswamy here on Thursday.

She sought the support from the media for peace and cordial atmosphere in both States. “Water has always been a symbol of love and kindness,” the Minister said.

She said it has always been part of the country’s culture to give more than take. She said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and added that Karnataka wanted the Centre to send a team of experts from to both the States to study rainfall and water availability in Cauvery basin. “As Tamil Nadu had some reservations on the suggestion, no compromise could be reached on the issue,” she said.

Bharti told the meeting that the Attorney General of India had advised that it would be appropriate that she call a meeting of both States. She said Supreme Court had given an opportunity to discuss, facilitate and resolve the current impasse in a cordial atmosphere.

“I have noted the views expressed by both the States, which will be conveyed to the Supreme Court through the Attorney General of India,” she added.

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