The Hindu : Release 1 tmcft of water immediately: Rangasamy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Pondicherry

Release 1 tmcft of water immediately: Rangasamy

By S. Nadarajan

Pondicherry Feb. 10. The Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, today brought to the notice of the sixth meeting of the Cauvery River Authority in New Delhi the ``persistent difference in the quantity of water released to the Karaikal region measured by Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry''.

A copy of his speech at the meeting was distributed to mediapersons here.

He said the quantity of water, stated to have been released by Tamil Nadu, apparently included surplus rainwater flowed during the monsoon period when the Mettur dam was closed. Surplus flows resulting from the monsoon rain should not be taken into account while measuring the inflow into Karaikal as it could neither be stored nor utilised either by Tamil Nadu or Pondicherry in view of the flat terrain of the delta region.

The experience of Pondicherry had shown that the `turn system' adopted in its present form at the Grand Anicut was of little benefit to the Karaikal region. He suggested that water be let directly to Karaikal in the first two days of the commencement of turn. Alternatively, the turn might be extended by two more days or by such time as might be necessary so that the Karaikal region could receive its due.

Mr. Rangasamy appealed to the Prime Minister and the CRA chairman, A. B. Vajpayee, to ensure that at least 1 tmcft of water was made available to Karaikal till February-end to save the standing crop.

Karaikal should have received six tmcft of water from June last year to January-end this year as per the interim order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. However, there was absolutely no flow in Karaikal from June to August last year.

The actual inflow into the Mettur dam in the current water year was 88.71 tmcft. The pro rata share for Pondicherry was 2.61 tmcft, which had not been fully realised. Subsequent to the orders of the Supreme Court and the CRA, Tamil Nadu received 56.751 tmcft at the Mettur dam from September 8 last year to January 31 this year. Even considering this inflow, the pro rata inflow into Karaikal should have been 1.67 tmcft. But the actual receipt was only 1.154 tmcft.

Mr. Rangasamy said that owing to inadequate water supply kuruvai crop raised on 1,000 hectares, valued at Rs. 3 crores, was lost. Samba paddy raised on 2,000 hectares had also been lost as Karaikal received only 1.154 tmcft up to January-end this year though 3.5 tmcft of water was required for irrigation.

The Chief Minister said one tmcft of water was needed immediately to save the standing samba crop on 5,200 hectares. Otherwise, there would be a loss of 26,000 tonnes of paddy valued at Rs. 23.40 crores. Relief measures would be beyond the scope of the financial resources of Pondicherry.

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