Bengaluru, 29 July (H.S.): Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday announced that the State will challenge the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) directive requiring Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, citing inadequate rainfall and worsening drought conditions in the Cauvery basin.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar said Karnataka would file an appeal before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) against the CWRC’s July 28 order directing the State to release water to Tamil Nadu at the rate of 3,500 cusecs per day for 15 days.

He said the decision was taken after detailed consultations with Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, Water Resources Minister K. Ramalinga Reddy, legal experts and senior government officials. According to the Chief Minister, Karnataka has been facing a severe rainfall deficit this monsoon, making it difficult to comply with the water release order.

“The rain god has not been kind to us this year. On two earlier occasions, the CWRC had rejected Tamil Nadu’s request for water release. However, this time it has issued a direction to release water, and we have decided to explore all available legal remedies,” Shivakumar said.

The Chief Minister, who is in New Delhi for consultations with the Congress high command on Cabinet expansion, said he would also hold discussions with Opposition leaders after returning to Bengaluru to evolve a united stand on the Cauvery issue.

Shivakumar also revealed that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had expressed a desire to meet him regarding the dispute. He said Vijay had written to the Karnataka Chief Secretary and spoken to him over the phone.

Inviting the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to Karnataka, Shivakumar said the State government would arrange an aerial survey of the drought-affected Cauvery basin. “He should personally witness the ground realities before any decision is taken. We will extend him every courtesy as our guest,” he added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman