Energy projects: All-party meet decides to wait for Cauvery award

Bangalore, Sep 15 (UNI) The all-party meeting, convened to discuss the Centre's proposal of setting up four hydel power projects in the Cauvery river valley, today decided to wait for the verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal on sharing of the river water by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, before taking a decision.

Speaking to newspersons after the meet here, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the Centre had sent a proposal to construct four hydel projects through the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) in the Cauvery valley.

While the proposed Shivanasamudram and Mekadatu projects fell entirely within the State border, the other two at Hogennekal and Rasimanal would be beyond the State's soils. The Centre had asked the States and NHPC to share the cost burden to generate 1,105 MW of power.

He said the all-party meet had discussed the pros and cons of the Central proposal and decided to wait for the Tribunal's verdict.

When some party leaders raised the issue of indiscriminate permission given to over 300 companies to generate 25 MW power in the Cauvery valley in the State, it was decided to bring out a White Paper on the issue. It was alleged in the meeting that those companies which had obtained licences to generate power in the Cauvery valley had violated norms and guidelines in establishing their units, besides damaging the environment.

Taking strong exception to the Congress boycotting the meeting, the Chief Minister alleged that it had failed to discharge its duties as a responsible Opposition party.

The Janata Dal (United), JD (Secular), Bharatiya Janata Party, Republic Party of India and Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha were among the parties which took part in the meeting.

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