Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070151850500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cauvery: advocates meet top officials

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

A SOUVENIR FROM FARMERS: Anil Divan, supreme court lawyer, being felicitated by Kabini Hitarakshana Samiti president Shantha Kumar (left), the former Minister H.N. Nanje Gowda, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader Puttannaiah, the former MP Made Gowda and Harangi Cooperative Water Society Federation president Sudamani, in Bangalore on Monday.

BANGALORE: Senior counsels of the State on the Cauvery waters issue on Monday held discussions with top officials of the State Government, irrigation experts including the former minister H.N. Nanje Gowda and farmers’ representatives on various cases of the State pending before the Supreme Court.

The senior counsels — Anil Divan and Mohan Katarki — are in Bangalore for two days to hear out the suggestions of top officials before finalising their arguments in the cases.

This exercise has obviously been undertaken in the light of the new Government taking charge in the State.

Karnataka is keenly awaiting the constitution of a special constitutional bench to hear the cases made out by the Cauvery riparian States against the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

The farmers’ representatives felicitated the Karnataka counsel Anil Divan on the occasion.

Those present included the former minister and Mandya District Raitha Hitharakshana Samiti president G. Made Gowda, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president K.S. Puttannaiah, Kabini Raitha Hitharakshana Samithi president Shanthakumar, Hemavathi Hitharakshana Samiti president Veerabhadraiah, and Harangi Water Users Federation president Sudamani. Thereafter, under the leadership of Mr. Nanje Gowda, they discussed the Cauvery issue with the State counsels for over two hours.