Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai To Hold All-Party Meeting To Discuss Inter-State Water Disputes

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that his government would do what is required for the Central government to deny permission to the Hogenakkal project, Phase 2

New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday that his government would do what is required for the Central government to deny permission to the Hogenakkal project, Phase 2, being carried out by neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

"We have faced such challenges before also. We will take up legal and political battles to oppose the project by the neighbouring state," he said.

Bommai also announced that he would convene an all-party meeting in the first week of February to discuss inter-state water disputes.

Answering a query on whether Tamil Nadu is announcing the Hogenakkal project to delay the implementation of the Mekedatu project, Bommai said, "I don't know what is running in their head. We have already filed objections with regard to the Hogenakkal project and other river interlinking projects."

Bommai also announced that he would hold an all-party meeting in February to discuss the future course of action regarding inter-state water disputes. "We held a virtual conference today regarding inter-state water disputes," he said.

The present status of cases in the court was also discussed in the meeting.

"I will hold another virtual meeting by January-end and call for an all-party meeting in the first week of February. Advocates representing the state at the Supreme Court, concerned ministers and floor leaders in the council and assembly would attend the meeting as the cases have reached the final stages," he said.

"We will discuss how to proceed with the inter-state water disputes in the interest of Karnataka. Political parties had fought as one unit before also. When we were in the opposition, cooperation was given to the ruling party," he added.

In irrigation terms, Karnataka is a middle riparian state.

"There are problems from the upper and lower riparian states. Verdicts have already come regarding the major disputes. Though the Mahadayi tribunal award has come, the matter is still with the Supreme Court," he said.