AIADMK General Secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has called on the Tamil Nadu government to take strong measures to safeguard the state’s rightful share of Cauvery water at the upcoming Cauvery Water Management Authority meeting. Palaniswami criticized the current government for allegedly neglecting the interests of farmers and the state’s water rights. He emphasized the vital role of the Cauvery river in supporting farmers in the region and meeting the water needs of over 20 districts.
Palaniswami highlighted the ongoing dispute with Karnataka over water sharing, citing Karnataka’s failure to release Tamil Nadu’s allocated water. Despite court rulings in favor of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka has reportedly not complied with the prescribed water-sharing schedule. The AIADMK leader expressed concern over the shortfall in water releases, pointing out that only a fraction of the owed water was provided in June, with a significant portion still pending for July.
The AIADMK leader criticized former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement linking water release to reservoir levels, which he deemed contrary to established water-sharing norms. Palaniswami accused the Tamil Nadu government of not pushing for the pending water releases, which he argued would negatively impact delta farmers. He also raised concerns about the government’s handling of farm loan waivers, alleging that the relief promised during elections had been scaled back, leaving many farmers dissatisfied.
Ahead of the CWMA meeting on July 22, Palaniswami urged the Tamil Nadu government to pressure Karnataka to fulfill its obligations promptly. He warned that any further delays in receiving the allocated water could severely affect farming activities and the livelihoods of numerous families and agricultural workers in the state.
