Will Release Cauvery Water For Tamil Nadu: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that they didn't have sufficient rains, but still, they want to respect the verdict of the authority.

Karnataka is set to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu so that the latter state is able to meet its water demands. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister on Friday said that the state plans to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu after keeping in mind the drinking water needs of the state. The Minister said that the initiative was being taken despite deficit rains. 

According to PTI, Shivakumar who also holds the Water Resources portfolio said that there is not sufficient water due to the deficit rains in the state. He said that the state expects some showers in a couple of days but still has a distress formula. 

Responding to a question Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister regarding release of Cauvery water, Shivakumar said, "Definitely we will have to honour the verdict of the authority (Cauvery Water Management Authority)....we didn't have sufficient rains, but still we want to respect. Whatever water is available we are planning to release it, definitely, we will honour it."

Shivakumar said that they may not be able to release without keeping drinking water in mind. The Minister said that the state does not have sufficient water and it is too less but they are expecting rains on Saturday. 

He said, the last 2-3 years the state had good rains but it did not have sufficient rain this year. 

"We will honour it, no doubt. But, there is a distress formula...we will look at it, definitely we will respect it," Shivakumar said.

Earlier, Stalin wrote to Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighting the risks faced by Kuruvai crops in Tamil Nadu due to Karnataka not releasing the state's water share. He also requested the immediate attention of the union minister to save the state.