Govt. is against holding talks over inter-State water disputes as they are being heard in SC, says Duraimurugan

Minister Duraimurugan emphasizes Tamil Nadu's stance on inter-State water disputes, avoiding talks with neighbouring States for Supreme Court resolution.

Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan on Monday reiterated that the government will not hold talks with neighbouring States, such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh, over inter-State water disputes, as these were being heard in the Supreme Court. He also expressed concern over the safety of Tamils living in those States.

Mr. Duraimurugan’s statement in the Assembly was in response to observations by Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami and AIADMK’s deputy floor leader R.B. Udhayakumar that the DMK government could have taken up these inter-State water disputes with the Chief Ministers of southern States, including Karnataka and Kerala, who visited Chennai recently.

“If we hold talks, all our efforts will be ruined. We have tried holding talks many times, and only after realising that they have not been of much use, we have moved the Supreme Court. If we hold talks now, they [the Supreme Court] will say resolve it through talks,” Mr. Duraimurugan said in the House. In his reply, he listed the efforts being undertaken by Tamil Nadu to protect its rights in these disputes.

Explaining the situation in which Tamil Nadu had to get water from these States, he said: “We have to get water from these three States. We have our rights [over the water from these States]. But, our rights are being denied. We had to struggle to get them. We have moved the Supreme Court. At the same time, we had to get water.”

Recalling the time when Tamil Nadu moved the court when a dam was constructed across Markandeya river, Mr. Duraimurugan said the then Prime Minister V.P. Singh suggested we go for talks but late DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi stood firm that there would be no more talks.

Mr. Duraimurugan also pointed out: “There are several Tamils living in those States [with which Tamil Nadu has water disputes]. We are aware of the major incidents in the past. So, we should we be cautious in what we talk.”

Earlier in the day, Mr. Palaniswami said there was “no politics” when they asked the DMK government as to why it had not taken up the inter-State water disputes with the Chief Ministers of neighbouring States when they visited Chennai.