Cauvery agitators 'alienated', Govt's inaction criticised

Bangalore, Mar 29 (UNI) A meeting organised by the Krishna-Cauvery Coordination Committee to highlight the 'denial' of rightful share of river waters to Karnataka farmers today highlighted the neglect of the agitating farmers and the tardy progress made in executing irrigation projects in the two basins.

Speakers at the meeting opined that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, which gave its final award on February 5, had been rejected as it was 'one-sided' and the CWDT had used 'illogical' parameters to arrive at the final decision.

The attitude of Tamil Nadu parliamentarians, who had stalled the proceedings of the House when the Karnataka members took up debate on the issue, was also criticised by the speakers, who felt that both sides should present their arguments without any hindrance.

Former High Court Chief Justice Mr Justice V S Malimath said the people of the State should show some passion to safeguard their water rights and regretted that the zeal required to get the rightful share of water was missing in both politicians as well as the bureaucracy. ''Why do the Government seem less bothered about the plight of farmers. It is time that the people of the State act to make the politicians feel the pains of the people,'' he added.

Stating that emotional reactions would not work, he said loopholes in the final verdict should be picked and the 'denial' of farmers' rights highlighted. The CWDT had not taken into account important aspects like crop requirement, drought prone areas, drinking water needs and availability of ground water resources.

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