“Will Not Stick To Power,” Asserted CM

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday assured the farmers that he will initiate steps to protect the interests of farmers at all costs and asserted that he would not sacrifice farmers for the sake of power.

He assured the farmers that he would initiate serious and certain steps on an experimental basis to safeguard the interests of farmers.

Siddaramaiah met agitating farmers in Mandya who were on a protest against water release to Tamil Nadu. Responding to a memorandum submitted by the farmers, the Chief Minister said the State has been reeling under severe drought situation owing to weak monsoon this season and reservoirs of the State have failed to fill-up.

In such a distress situation, he said, the State has to release 177.25 tmc feet of water to Tamil Nadu and every month as per the orders of the Supreme Court, quantum water release has been made.

He said the State argued before the Cauvery Water Management Authority and also Cauvery Water Regulation Committee that release of water to Tamil Nadu was highly difficult but despite strong argument by the State an order to release 2,600 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu has been made on Monday.

Siddaramaiah told the farmers that top priority has been accorded to drinking water requirements and to save standing crops and well aware of the problems confronting the farmers and asserted that "I will not stick to power while protection of farmers assumes utmost importance.”

Mandya district incharge and Minister for Agriculture Cheluvarayaswamy was present.