The Hindu : Karnataka ignores PM's directive

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 23, 2002

National

National

Karnataka ignores PM's directive

NEW DELHI SEPT. 22. Karnataka today ignored the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee's directive to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu even as the Supreme Court is likely to take up the contempt petition filed by Tamil Nadu against Karnataka for its failure to abide by the apex court's order to release the water.

The Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, D.B. Chandre Gowda, said the State has so far not started releasing water to Tamil Nadu.

When reminded of Mr. Vajpayee's directive to him to honour the decision of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) to release 9,000 cusecs of water, the Karnataka Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, remained evasive on the issue saying ``my prime responsibility is to ensure drinking water to my people and saving the standing crops in the State.''

Asked whether Karnataka would comply if the Supreme Court tomorrow asks it to release water, Mr. Krishna said whatever the apex court decides would be the law of the land. ``We have always complied with the Supreme Court directive and have substantially complied with the CRA orders,'' he said.

PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National