BackCauvery dispute: all-party meet passes three resolutions
Resolutions says Tamil Nadu assembly should be immediately convened on the issue
Premium
Chennai: The opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) conducted an all-party meeting on Tuesday, to discuss the Cauvery water sharing dispute.
Apart from DMK’s allies Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Tamil Maanila Congress and other parties along with farmers associations’ attended the meeting.
The two-hour long all-party meeting, convened by the DMK, has passed three resolutions. It has urged that the Tamil Nadu assembly should be immediately convened and it was resolved that the state government need to pressurize the Centre to constitute the Cauvery water management board. The meeting also concluded that the Tamil Nadu government should compensate farmers for the crop loss to the tune of Rs30,000 for one acre.
The meeting also alleged that the upper riparian state Karnataka was insulting the federal principles by not enforcing the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal on water sharing. And, the central government is also supporting it for political reasons.
“In the last five years the state has not seen Kuruvai cultivation and this year even samba is doubtful due to the stringent attitude of the Karnataka government in releasing the Cauvery water," said Stalin.
Kuruvai, the short-term crop is cultivated mostly in Cauvery Delta districts, within the duration of three to four months from June-July to October-November. The samba crop’s season is August through January. This rice is grown for a longer duration compared to other types of rice.
The move is being seen as an effort of DMK to grab the vote bank ahead of the 19 November assembly elections for Thanjavur and Aravakurichi.
While talking to the media after the meeting, Stalin said a similar meet would be organized soon as the next step in the Cauvery issue. He also clarified that the party was not trying to score anything from organizing the all party meet.
“DMK has convened an all-party meeting to show that we are united on the Cauvery issue," said Stalin.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) have called the meeting a “political gimmick".
While Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), part of the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) was undecided to attend the meeting, it was decided on Tuesday morning that the party would abstain from attending it as the other parties of the PWF, MDMK and the communist parties— CPI and CPI(M)— were wary of attending it.
“I’m not in a position to participate in the meeting. Since the PWF has decided not to contest the elections in Thanjavur, Aravakurichi and Tiruparankundram, this participation in the meeting might lead to unwanted confusion among the cadres and others," said VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan in a letter addressed to Stalin.
Earlier this month, Stalin chaired a meeting with farmer associations’ members and handed over the copy of a resolution passed in a meeting to Tamil Nadu finance minister O. Panneerselvam and public works minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. They also sought an all-party meeting and a special sitting of the legislative assembly to discuss the Cauvery water issue.
As the 68-year old Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa remains in hospital since 22 September, Panneerselvam is in charge of all portfolios of the chief minister.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
