Oppn walkout in Karnataka Assembly on Cauvery issue

Bangalore, June 12: Opposition JD-S in Karnataka Assembly today staged a walkout over the Congress government's decision to approach the Centre for clearing long pending extension, renovation and modernisation of projects in the Cauvery Basin as its argued that it would be detrimental to the state's interests.

Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor for his Address, Opposition Leader H D Kumaraswamy sought deletion of the remark from Governor H R Bhardwaj's Address on the issue, stating that it would affect the interest of farmers in Karnataka, especially those in Cauvery Basin.

"I request the Chief Minister to delete the Governor's remarks that in conformity with the Cauvery Tribunal Award, the state would approach the Centre for clearing long pending extension, renovation and modernisation of projects in Cauvery Basin. This decision will be detrimental to state's interests," Kumaraswamy said.

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rejected Kumaraswamy's demand arguing that the decision to ask the Centre for clearing renovation projects would not affect state's interest.

"I have sought the Centre's help to get necessary funds to take up the modernisation work." Siddaramaiah said the government will approach the Supreme Court if the Supervisory Committee, which has been constituted by the apex court as a pro-tem measure for implementing the Cauvery Tribunal Award, does not accept Karnataka's stance over the issue.

He also said the government would consult the Opposition parties to ensure that the state put up a united struggle with regard to protecting state's interest in Cauvery waters.

The Supervisory Committee held its first meeting on June 1 when Tamil Nadu sought allocation of water as stipulated in the award for the month of June on pro-rata basis for first 10 day period.

PTI