Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre not to grant any statutory or administrative approval to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project unless it is found to be fully consistent with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) Award and the Supreme Court’s judgment.
In his letter sent on Tuesday, Vijay also sought the withdrawal of a statement made by the Union government in the Rajya Sabha regarding the project.
CM questions Centre’s stand
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister objected to the reply given by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in the Rajya Sabha on July 27.
The minister had stated that the Supreme Court’s judgment dated February 16, 2018, does not expressly require Karnataka to obtain the consent of downstream riparian States before constructing a structure across the Cauvery River.
Vijay argued that the reply did not adequately reflect the settled legal principles governing inter-State river water disputes.
Seeks withdrawal of Rajya Sabha reply
In his letter, Vijay requested Prime Minister Modi to direct the withdrawal of the minister’s response, contending that it was issued without proper reference to the CWDT Award and the Supreme Court’s verdict.
He maintained that any approval for the Mekedatu project should only be considered after ensuring that it fully complies with the existing legal framework governing the sharing of Cauvery waters.
Mekedatu project remains contentious
The proposed Mekedatu project has remained a long-standing point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
While Karnataka has maintained that the project is intended to provide drinking water and regulate river flows, Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed it, expressing concerns over its potential impact on downstream water availability.
The issue continues to be one of the most sensitive inter-State water disputes in southern India.