NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JUN 18
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday lashed out at his Karnataka counterpart BS Yediyurappa for stating that the construction of Mekedatu project will be started as soon as possible, saying it was a ”unilateral” statement made when the matter is under sub-judice.
உச்சநீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு நிலுவையில் இருக்கும்போது, ஒன்றிய அரசின் அனுமதிக்குப் பிறகு #MekedatuDam கட்டப்படும் என @BSYBJP அறிவிப்பது ஒருதலைப்பட்சமானது; இரு மாநில நல்லுறவுக்கு உகந்ததன்று.
ஒன்றிய அரசு அனுமதிக்கக்கூடாது. தமிழ்நாட்டு விவசாயிகளுக்கு எதிரான இத்திட்டத்தை கைவிட வேண்டும். pic.twitter.com/R7kmVubzPL
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) June 18, 2021
Reiterating DMK government’s opposition to the project, saying it was inimical to the interests of Tamil Nadu’s farmers, Stalin said the proposal to construct a reservoir at Mekedatu on river Cauvery was “against” the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the inter-state river dispute.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಮಹತ್ವಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿರುವ ಮೇಕೆದಾಟು ಯೋಜನೆ ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾಗಿ ಕುಡಿಯುವ ನೀರಿಗೆ ಅನುಕೂಲ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸುವಂಥದ್ದು. ಈ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ತಡೆ ಕೋರುವ ಅರ್ಜಿಯ ವಿಚಾರಣೆ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಎನ್.ಜಿ.ಟಿ ಇಂದು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ವಾದವನ್ನು ಮನ್ನಿಸಿ, ಅರ್ಜಿಯನ್ನು ಇತ್ಯರ್ಥಪಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಆದಷ್ಟು ಶೀಘ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅನುಮತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು ಯೋಜನೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು.
— B.S.Yediyurappa (Modi Ka Parivar) (@BSYBJP) June 18, 2021
CMBSY reaction on Mekedatu project at BJP state office in Bengaluru @santwana99 @NewIndianXpress @XpressBengaluru @chetanabelagere @AshwiniMS_TNIE @ramupatil_TNIE @bansykalappa @MSKiranPrakash @KPCCPresident @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/rK7FTtD19T
— Nagaraja Gadekal (@gadekal2020) June 18, 2021
On Friday, Yeddiyurappa tweeted “the Mekedatu project, which is significant for the state of Karnataka, is aimed at drinking water supply.” “The NGT (National Green Tribunal), which was hearing a petition seeking a stay on the project, dismissed it and endorsed Karnataka’s argument. The project will be started as soon as possible after getting all the clearances,” he said.
Responding to this, Stalin said Tamil Nadu has been opposed to the project on the grounds that it will lead to a reduction in the quantum of water from Cauvery to the state awarded by the apex court and that it was against the interest of Tamil Nadu farmers.
“Yediyurappa unilaterally announcing (on Karnataka going ahead with it after obtaining clearances) when the case (against the project) is pending in the Supreme Court is condemnable,” Stalin said in an official statement.
He pointed out that he had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in New Delhi on Thursday and urged the Centre not to grant its approval to the project.
Yediyurappa making such “unilateral” remarks in this situation would not augur well for the cordial ties between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the chief minister added.
“Karnataka should immediately drop its decision to construct a dam at Mekedatu, which is against the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers and its people, as well that of the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the Cauvery issue,” he said. The Centre should not grant approval for the project, he demanded.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly had also earlier passed a unanimous resolution against the project, Stalin recalled.
