CMA must meet to discuss Delta’s needs: PR Pandian

Thanjavur: The Cauvery Management Authority (CMA) should immediately convene its supervisory committee meeting and discuss about opening of Mettur dam on June 12, traditional date for opening the dam for kuruvai (short term crop) cultivation in the delta districts this year, said P.R. Pandian, coordinator of 'Thamizhaga Anaithu Vivasaya Sangangalin Orunginaippu Kuzhu' here on Tuesday.

The Kuzhu held its meeting at Thanajvur to discuss about 'Kuruvai' crop and proposed hydrocarbon projects in the delta districts.

Later speaking to presspersons P.R. Pandian said that Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said in his election campaign that there is water in all the dams in the state.

“I also toured Karnataka recently and found water in all lakes which were filled by water from dams. The CMA should clarify the water position in Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka states and take steps to get water from Karnataka for Kuruvai cultivation this year. Kuruvai could not be taken up for the past eight years for want of Mettur water in canal irrigated areas,” Pandian said.

Approval given by the Central government for the proposed hydro carbon projects in Cauvery delta on 6,000 sq.km area from Marakanam to Kodiakarai is a matter of concern as people of delta are firmly opposed to the projects, he said.

“Government under the leadership J. Jayalalaithaa banned Methane project. But projects are coming in other names which threaten to destroy delta and render it in to a desert. Present Tamil Nadu government should strongly oppose this and write letters to Central government that they should be dropped. Moreover, Tamil Nadu government should take steps to get water from Karnataka for taking up Kuruvai cultivation at least this year," Pandian said.

T. Punniyamurthy, state president of the Kuzhu presided over the meeting.