Karnataka CM to convene all-party meeting to discuss Mekedatu project, rules out talks with Tamil Nadu
India Today
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai will convene an all-party meeting soon to discuss the Mekedatu project. However, he ruled out any negotiations with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Expressing his government's commitment to implement the Mekedatu project across the river Cauvery, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while ruling out negotiations with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday said he would be calling an all-party meeting soon, to discuss the legal repercussions and going ahead with the work.
He was reacting to objections raised by Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah in the Legislative Assembly, to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's recent statement that the Centre is ready to facilitate talks between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on the Mekedatu project.
Citing Shekhawat's statement, Siddaramaiah expressed apprehensions about the Government of India granting clearances for the project.
Tamil Nadu is vehemently opposed to the project.
"Regarding the Mekedatu project, there have been discussions. Although the factual position is known to everyone, its repercussions need to be discussed with the legal team," Bommai said.
Noting that the task before Karnataka is to begin the work after getting the Detailed Project Report (DPR) approved and environmental clearance from the Centre, he said he has already had two rounds of discussions with the legal team regarding the legal repercussions, and will be calling an all-party meeting, probably this week itself.
"Our stand is very clear that our responsibility is to give Tamil Nadu the due water which has been allocated by the tribunal, other than we don't have any other responsibility. They (TN) have put a miscellaneous application, in this background, let's all come to one decision to go ahead and begin the Mekedatu work at the earliest, after getting to know the legal point of view from experts," he added.
