Bengaluru/ Chennai, 18 July

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said he has called an emergency Cabinet meeting on 19 July to discuss the drought situation in the State and the measures to be taken to manage it.

“We had planned to hold it on Thursday, but could not as I had been to Delhi. We must specially discuss the drought situation," Shivakumar told reporters, adding that he will hold a video conference call with officials from all districts in the morning.

Water from dams will be reserved only for drinking purposes, while releases for irrigation will depend on the storage levels in the reservoirs, for the time being, Shivakumar said.

"We have received details of the situation and the schemes and measures that can be implemented during the drought. We have also received information about people migrating from some areas due to the drought. We will discuss the situation and decide on the measures to be taken," he added.

Asked whether he received a response from the Centre to his and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara’s letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the drought, Shivakumar said, "Nothing as of now. I am aware that they will not respond immediately after we send a letter. We have to send more details backed by facts. We have the data and a clear picture of the situation, including the amount of rainfall received in different areas."

Shivakumar’s letter noted that the State recorded a 30 per cent rain deficit, and sought relief from the Centre. 

MEKEDATU IN PARLIAMENT 

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s DMK party has submitted adjournment motion notices in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, seeking an immediate discussion on Karnataka’s proposal to build the Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery. 

The party has demanded that all scheduled business be suspended to address Tamil Nadu's growing concerns and the urgent need to constitute a tribunal to resolve the dispute, the DMK stated.

Shivakumar, however, dismissed this, claiming that “the Mekedatu project benefits Tamil Nadu, not Karnataka”.

“They will demand, no problem. We will also demand,” he said. “I will also go to Delhi and tell our Members of Parliament to place the facts before everyone,” he said, describing the Cauvery as “our right”.

He noted that there was pressure from Tamil Nadu to release Cauvery water and that a similar situation existed with regard to Tungabhadra river water, urging farmers not to sow.