Experts coming! Team to visit Cauvery basin
he team is expected to visit Hemavathi, Harangi, KRS and Kabini reservoirs in Karnataka.
New Delhi,/Belagavi: A supervisory committee, led by Central Water Commission chairman G.S. Jha, will visit the Cauvery basin area from October 7 to October 15 to assess "ground realities" as directed by the Supreme Court, a top official said on Tuesday.
The team, which will comprise CWC member Syed Masood Hussain, its chief engineer R.K. Gupta and chief engineer-rank representatives of the states, will visit Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry before submitting its report to the Supreme Court on October 17. The team is expected to visit Hemavathi, Harangi, KRS and Kabini reservoirs in Karnataka. In Tamil Nadu, it is likely to inspect water stock at Mettur, Lower Bhavani Dam and Amaravati reservoirs in the basin, which covers approximately 81,000 square km area. "The team will assess water availability in the basin and crop situation. The report will help the Apex Court decide on the quantum of water to be released by Karnataka to TN post October 18 when the matter will be heard," Union Water Resources Ministry Secretary Shashi Shekhar said.
Nariman: Yeddyurappa does a U-turn, praises him
After describing the state's counsel in Cauvery row, Fali Nariman as ‘anti-Karnataka,’ former CM, B.S. Yeddyurappa did a U-turn at the BJP state executive, praising him and recalling his useful contributions. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Yeddyurappa said, "Mr Nariman is a very good advocate and we (BJP) don't have any objection if the government wishes to continue his services. He has been the state's counsel for a long time and worked for the larger interests of Karnataka.''
Mr Yeddyurappa, however, accepted that there was resentment in the party against the way the legal team presented the state's case. Meanwhile, the legal team headed by Fali Nariman has thanked people of Karnataka ‘who supported and stood by us during most difficult times. We have no animus. We look forward to support in conducting the main case on October 18,’ team member Mohan Katarki said in a statement.