The Hindu : We feel let down: Jayalalithaa

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

We feel let down: Jayalalithaa

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JAN. 14. After the aborted Cauvery River Authority meeting on Monday, a "disappointed" Tamil Nadu today pleaded with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, to ask Karnataka to release 4,500 cusecs daily for the next two weeks to save at least "40 per cent" of its samba crop.

While Karnataka had agreed to ensure a supply of 1,200 cusecs daily till February end, the Tamil Nadu Government wants a minimum of 4,500 cusecs for 14 days as it is required to provide two more wettings to salvage at least three lakh acres of the total eight lakh acres of samba cultivation.

"We can't do anything with what Karnataka has offered now. It will not be useful for drinking water supplies too. Only if they release three tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of Cauvery water a week (4,500 cusecs a day) for the next two weeks can we manage to store and supply for two wettings," the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, told the media here.

Tamil Nadu's requirement was conveyed by the State Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office today.

As Karnataka wanted the Prime Minister to send a written request for the release of water to Tamil Nadu, an official of the PMO had contacted the Chief Secretary this morning, following which the State's demand was communicated, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

After the CRA meeting was cancelled on Monday, the Union Minister of Water Resources, Arjun Charan Sethi, informed Tamil Nadu that Karnataka had offered to release 1,200 cusecs daily.

However, when Tamil Nadu explained that the offer was inadequate, the Prime Minister suggested that the officials of the two States discuss the quantum of releases.

The Karnataka officials agreed to release 4,500 cusecs but subject to the approval of their Chief Minister.

But, "it appears" that Karnataka would now release even the 1,200 cusecs only after a written request from the Prime Minister, she said.

"We feel let down, betrayed," Ms. Jayalalithaa remarked, adding that even Central Water Resources officials had stated that 18.8 tmcft should be released to Tamil Nadu under the distress-sharing forumla.

Asked about the the Prime Minister's response to her plea for a Rs. 400-crore aid package to compensate the affected farmers and two lakh tonnes of rice for the noon meal scheme for the ryots, she merely said: "He listened to it all."

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

Southern States

Stories in this Section

MoU on dream projects with Malaysia

Will DMK remain neutral at Sattankulam?

Floating bonds a way out?

We feel let down: Jayalalithaa

`Politicians creating conditions of disharmony'

Virtual university for engineering centres planned

Thanjavur-Coimbatore Shatabdi from Jan. 20

Perceptible decline in railway accident rate

Governor, CM extend Pongal greetings

HC allows lottery ticket sale for one week

Resolution on reforms in conformity with NDA agenda: DMK

Only poromboke land will be leased: Jeevanantham