T.N. government’s silence on Cauvery issue is shocking, says Stalin

DMK president M.K. Stalin on Thursday expressed shock over what he described as the State government’s silence on Karnataka’s failure to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

“The Chief Minister should have met the Prime Minister over this issue, but he has not. The Water Resources Minister has also failed to take it up. The Chief Secretary does not appear to have written either to his Karnataka counterpart or to the Union Water Resources Secretary. The government’s silence on such a vital issue is shocking,” he said in a statement.

Mr Stalin alleged the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led (TVK) government had also failed to fulfil its promise of completely waiving farmers’ loans.

“Although the government has adopted an Assembly resolution opposing the construction of the Mekedatu dam and demanding the constitution of a tribunal, the Chief Minister has not found the time to meet the Prime Minister along with an all-party delegation. Nor has he questioned the Karnataka government, which continues to withhold Cauvery water from Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Questioning the government’s priorities, Mr Stalin asked what could be more important than safeguarding the livelihood of farmers. “Why is the Chief Minister afraid of asserting the State’s rights? He should break his silence and take urgent steps to secure Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu. He must activate the Cauvery Management Board and approach the Supreme Court to ensure that Tamil Nadu receives its rightful share,” he said.

Mr Stalin also urged the Chief Minister to announce a fresh relief package for farmers in the Cauvery delta while simultaneously pursuing efforts to secure the State’s share of river water.