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A high-level technical team today visited the Cauvery basin areas to assess the ground realities in Karnataka and said its aim is to distribute water in a judicious manner between the state and Tamil Nadu.
“The team’s aim is to distribute water between the two states in a judicious manner. We will be visiting the entire command within the shortest possible time,” Central Water Commission Chairman GS Jha, who heads the team, told reporters after a meeting with the officials of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry governments.
Minister meets team
The team has been set up by the Supreme Court to assess ground realities of the Cauvery basin in the two states which have locked horns over the release of river water.
Karnataka Water Resources Minister MB Patil also attended the meeting and gave a Power Point presentation, highlighting the distress situation in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka, saying the state is expected to fall short of 20 tmc ft of water this year.
Jha said after studying the situation in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka, the team would place the existing ground realities before the Supreme Court.
He said Patil gave a Power Point presentation, bringing to light the distress situation prevalent in the river basin in the state.
“The irrigation (water resources) minister has very nicely submitted the issues concerning the state and we have very carefully taken note of all these issues,” he said.
Jha said the team would like to visit the entire area in the Cauvery basin in the shortest possible time.
Memorandum submitted
“The Minister (Patil) also has submitted a memorandum and we would consider the same,” he said, adding that it highlights issues such as poor rainfall, damaged crops situation, drinking water needs of towns, cities and villages in the Cauvery region in Karnataka.
“The team was briefed in detail and they have now understood what is Karnataka’s exact situation. They will look into things like availability of water and assess the requirement and have assured of doing a fair job,” Patil said.
He added that Tamil Nadu was better placed than Karnataka in view of the probable normal north-east monsoon.
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