K'taka Assembly adopts resolution opposing Cauvery award

Bangalore, Mar 15 (UNI) The Karnataka Legislative Assembly today unanimously adopted an Opposition-sponsored resolution by voice vote expressing inability to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award on sharing of river water among the riparian States.

The resolution, moved by Leader of the Opposition N Dharam Singh, urged the Centre not to notify the award, but frame the national water policy, keeping in view the ground realities. The award was detrimental to the State in general and the farmers in particular, it added.

Stating that it was not feasible for the State to implement the award, it said the Centre should find ways to resolve the inter-State disputes through mutual discussions. It also vowed to continue the fight legally and constitutionally to safeguard the interests of the State. It also urged the Centre to assist the State frequently affected by drought.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa were conspicuous by their absence. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge and others took exception to the absence and charged the Government with not being serious about the issue.

Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj insisted that the resolution should clearly say that the State had rejected the verdict. When the response was not forthcoming, he staged a walk out, stating that the verdict had dealt a death blow to the people of Karnataka.

UNI