Chief Minister petitions PM for CMB again

The CM presented a memorandum in this regard to the PM while he was leaving the city after launching the DefExpo and inaugurating the diamond jubilee building at the Cancer Institute here. 

EPS, while recalling the Supreme Court’s February 16 verdict in his memorandum, observed that the Centre has been directed to formulate a scheme within six weeks to implement the already notified final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal as modified by the recent final verdict of the apex court. 

“Further, on April 9, 2018, the Supreme Court has clearly stated that the final order of the CWDT has been merged with February 16 order. Therefore, the constitution of the CMB has become an integral part of the SC judgment,” the CM noted. Elaborating the state’s plight, the CM said, “Farmers of the delta region in Tamil Nadu, who are dependent on Cauvery water for irrigation, are fervently hoping that the above implementation machinery would be constituted by the Union government to enable them to commence the agricultural operations in the next irrigation season, which will start on June 1 this year.” 

“I earnestly request the Prime Minister to immediately constitute the CMB and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) vested with all powers to effectively implement the orders of the tribunal and the Supreme Court,” he said. The CM has already made similar demands in his previous letter to Modi after the all-party meeting convened by the state government. 

The state Assembly, in a special sitting during the budget session, adopted resolutions underscoring the need to set up the CMB and the CWRC. 

Meanwhile, farmers’ association leader PR Pandian slammed the CM and his Deputy for not being vocal on the CMB during both the events where Modi was present. Had they raised the issue, Modi would have been forced to respond. They had deliberately avoided it to ensure that he was not embarrassed. Petitioning in person after the events was an eyewash, he charged.

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday said that the Centre was keen on improving healthcare services for cancer patients by opening more treatment centres and provide easy access to the people.  Commending the Cancer Institute for its services, Modi said that the molecular oncology department of the institute was designated as a “Centre of Excellence” in 2007 by the Centre. “Dr Shantha, in her opening speech spoke about some of the difficulties being faced by the institute.  I assure that the Centre will look into them and also request the CM to see what can be done,” Modi said.