Not villain in Cauvery row, says Karnataka

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he said the government did not want to go against the apex court and had released substantial amount of water, despite distress situation in the Cauvery basin.

“But the latest decision (of the apex court on September 30), to release more water, to extent of 6,000 cusecs for six days, leaves us in such position that is difficult to meet.” 

Siddaramaiah further said, “Our neighbours are creating pressure on Karnataka which is already reeling under drought for the second year in succession. The water available in four Cauvery reservoirs is only enough for drinking water for villages, towns in the basin besides the Bengaluru city.

Drinking water needs will get first priority and my government will meet this. We need to conserve water till the next monsoon until June 2017,” he said. Siddaramaiah said he was pained over reports stating Karnataka is a ‘villian’ in the Cauvery water issue. “But can a state facing distress due to failed monsoon and facing drinking water crisis, be reflected in such terms,” he asked. 

In a related development, a day after former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda went on a day-long hunger strike after the Supreme Court directive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the veteran leader on Sunday. 

Deve Gowda however refused to divulge more details.