Tamil Nadu CM Urges PM Modi To Withdraw Mekedatu Dam Reply

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Union government to withdraw its reply regarding the proposed Mekedatu Dam project. The Chief Minister objected to the Minister of State for Jal Shakti's statement that the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment on the Cauvery dispute does not require Karnataka to obtain the consent of lower riparian States before constructing the dam.

The Minister's reply was described as 'disappointing' by the Chief Minister, who argued that it failed to take into account the prevailing legal position. Vijay cited the Constitution Bench judgment in the Alamatti case, which held that the consent of lower riparian States is necessary before an upstream State undertakes such projects.

The Chief Minister also referred to the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) Award and the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment affirming it. He argued that any project capable of affecting the regulated flow of the river must be examined for consistency with the Tribunal Award. The CWDT Award requires mutual agreement and consultation before any upper riparian State takes actions affecting scheduled water releases to downstream States.

The Central Water Commission had returned Karnataka's Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu project in 2019 for revision to ensure compliance with the Tribunal Award and applicable guidelines. The Chief Minister sought the Prime Minister's intervention, requesting that no statutory or administrative approval be granted to the Mekedatu project unless it is demonstrably consistent with the CWDT Award and the Supreme Court's judgment.

Vijay also urged the Centre to ensure that the rights of lower riparian States in terms of both water allocation and regulated releases are fully protected. He requested that any future consideration of the project follows a comprehensive technical and legal examination addressing the concerns of all lower riparian States.

The Cauvery river is the lifeline of Tamil Nadu, and the state is concerned about the potential impact of the Mekedatu Dam project on its water supply. The Chief Minister's letter to the Prime Minister is a significant development in the ongoing dispute over the project.

The Mekedatu Dam project has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for several years. The project aims to construct a dam across the Cauvery river in Karnataka, which would affect the water supply to Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has previously ruled on the Cauvery dispute, and the CWDT Award has laid down guidelines for the sharing of Cauvery waters between the two states.

The Tamil Nadu government has been opposing the Mekedatu Dam project, citing concerns over the potential impact on the state's water supply. The Chief Minister's letter to the Prime Minister is an attempt to seek the Centre's intervention in the matter and ensure that the rights of lower riparian States are protected.

In conclusion, the dispute over the Mekedatu Dam project is a complex issue that involves the rights of lower riparian States and the sharing of Cauvery waters between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's letter to the Prime Minister is a significant development in the ongoing dispute, and it remains to be seen how the Centre will respond to the concerns raised by the state government.

The issue has significant implications for the people of Tamil Nadu, who rely heavily on the Cauvery river for their water supply. The state government's efforts to protect the rights of lower riparian States are crucial in ensuring that the water supply to the state is not affected by the Mekedatu Dam project.

Overall, the dispute over the Mekedatu Dam project is a critical issue that requires careful consideration and resolution. The Centre's response to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's letter will be closely watched, and it is hoped that a solution will be found that protects the rights of all parties involved.