Bengaluru:Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has come forward with a set of recommendations to address the ongoing Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Mr. Gowda's proposals aim to find a balanced and lasting resolution to the long-standing conflict.
The Cauvery water dispute has escalated in recent months due to a significant failure of the South-west monsoon, leading to insufficient water storage in Karnataka's reservoirs. Tamil Nadu, the downstream state, has been demanding the release of water as per previous court orders, while Karnataka has struggled to meet these demands due to its storage limitations.
In response to this situation, Mr. Gowda has proposed the following measures:
1.Appointment of an External Agency: He suggests the appointment of an external agency, independent of both the involved states and the central government, with expertise in Integrated Reservoir Operation Studies. This agency would be responsible for conducting studies on all identified and designated reservoirs in the Cauvery Basin. The studies would consider various factors, including rainfall, inflows, storage levels, crop requirements, and drinking water needs.
2.Assessment of Reservoir Conditions : The same agency should be tasked with evaluating the current condition of reservoirs in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This would involve site visits to assess ground realities and provide immediate recommendations to address the situation.
3.Formation of an Expert Committee : Mr. Gowda suggests the formation of a Committee of 5 Experts, unaffiliated with any party state or the central government. Their role would be to oversee the reservoir studies and offer impartial recommendations.
These proposals, if implemented, could help create a more transparent and data-driven approach to managing water resources in the Cauvery Basin. They aim to ensure equitable distribution while taking into account the specific challenges faced by each state.
The former Prime Minister's letter, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calls for prompt action from the Ministry of Jalashakti to address these issues. It remains to be seen how the central government will respond to these recommendations and whether they will contribute to a lasting solution to the Cauvery water dispute.