Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for stating that Karnataka agreed to interlink the Krishna, Godavari, and Cauvery rivers without determining the state’s water share. Kumaraswamy expressed concern over the Chief Minister’s handling of this crucial irrigation matter, emphasizing the need to establish Karnataka’s water allocation before consenting to the project. He highlighted the importance of consulting experts and understanding technical details before making public statements on river-linking and water-sharing initiatives.
Kumaraswamy questioned the basis of the Chief Minister’s claim that Karnataka had already given consent to the river-linking project. He criticized Shivakumar for allegedly being overly generous in water resource matters and spending on projects that primarily benefit neighboring states. Additionally, Kumaraswamy objected to the lack of consultation with opposition parties and the public regarding decisions on water resource management and river desilting initiatives.
The Union Minister raised concerns about the reported national project status of the river-linking proposal and emphasized the necessity of clarifying the actual water allocation for Karnataka. Referring to a Detailed Project Report from 2023, Kumaraswamy highlighted the historical context of water allocations under the project, noting initial disparities in water distribution among states. He questioned the Chief Minister’s assertions on Karnataka’s support for the project and the substantial investment commitment without transparent discussions at the national level.
