Mekedatu dam row: TN CM Vijay directs officials to expedite legal steps
Meeting focuses on safeguarding TN's Cauvery water rights and farmers’ interests after Karnataka’s reported plan to hold groundbreaking ceremony for the reservoir project
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday (May 25) held a review meeting over Karnataka's proposal to construct a dam on the Cauvery River in Mekedatu in that state, a project to which TN is opposed.
The meeting was held in the wake of the "Bhumi puja" (groundbreaking ceremony) for the project being planned, an official release said.
"The detailed review meeting was held to establish Tamil Nadu's rights and safeguard farmers' interests," it said.
Legal cases related to issue discussed
The cases pertaining to the issue were discussed, with the Supreme Court last dismissing Tamil Nadu's review petition against an earlier ruling that only Central experts can decide on the SC's legal purview, it said.
Also Read: Mekedatu project: Karnataka to submit DPR to Centre, DKS says TN cannot stop it
"The chief minister directed expediting legal steps after detailed consultations, keeping in mind the aforesaid court ruling," the release added.
Mekedatu row
Karnataka plans to construct a balancing reservoir on the river Cauvery at Mekedatu to meet the twin objectives of drinking water requirements and power generation.
Also Read: Mekedatu project: SC rejects Tamil Nadu’s plea against Karnataka
Tamil Nadu, a lower-riparian state, has been insisting that it would be affected if the project were to take shape.
Cabinet ministers - N Anand, Adhav Arjuna, and R Nirmalkumar, besides Advocate General Vijay Narayan, participated in the meeting.
(With agency inputs)