Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss has called on the Tamil Nadu government to hold an all-party meeting to collectively address Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project. He expressed concerns over Karnataka’s aggressive advancement of the project compared to Tamil Nadu’s response, highlighting worries among farmers in the Cauvery delta region. Ramadoss emphasized the need for immediate action to protect the state’s water rights to prevent potential losses.
Anbumani Ramadoss recently concluded a four-day awareness campaign across the Cauvery basin, engaging with farmers from Biligundlu to Poompuhar between July 1 and July 4. Feedback from the campaign revealed farmers’ lack of trust in Karnataka’s assurances regarding the impact of the Mekedatu dam on Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water. Allegations were made against Karnataka for not upholding previous water-sharing agreements, leading to skepticism within the farming community.
Referring to the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s resolution advocating for a new tribunal on the Mekedatu issue, the PMK President stated that farmers strongly oppose this move. Concerns were raised that establishing a new tribunal could potentially favor Karnataka over Tamil Nadu. While acknowledging Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s intentions to safeguard farmers’ interests, Ramadoss criticized the government for not taking effective action beyond the resolution.
Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to organize an all-party meeting promptly to address the fears of Cauvery delta farmers and devise a comprehensive strategy to halt Karnataka’s progress on the dam project. He highlighted farmers’ resolve to prevent a recurrence of past water-sharing disputes with Karnataka, emphasizing the need to stop the Mekedatu project. The awareness campaign led by Ramadoss reached approximately five lakh farmers and the public, all echoing the demand to halt the dam project.
