Former PM Gowda Expresses Outrage Over Lack of Godavari Water Allocation to Karnataka
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Synopsis
On February 15, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda expressed his outrage at the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for not allocating any Godavari River water to Karnataka. He emphasized the need for fair distribution based on historical agreements and highlighted the ongoing water scarcity issues in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Former PM Gowda criticizes the MOJS for denying Karnataka water.
- He highlights historical agreements on water allocation.
- Discusses inter-linking of rivers as part of national policy.
- Karnataka's struggles with water scarcity are emphasized.
- Call for fair distribution based on principles of equity.
Bengaluru, Feb 15 (NationPress) Expressing his discontent towards the officials of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti (MOJS), former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Saturday conveyed his shock at the ministry's decision to deny any allocation of water to Karnataka from the Godavari River.
On the same day, former PM Gowda addressed a letter to the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, regarding this issue.
“I am truly shocked by the actions of the relevant authorities in the MOJS who have failed to allocate any Godavari waters to Karnataka from the Godavari-Cauvery link project, despite the assurances made by the Union Minister of Finance in the House that all involved states would be consulted prior to finalizing the Detailed Project Report and executing the project,” Deve Gowda remarked.
“I wish to draw your attention to the Godavari Disputes Tribunal, which resolved the dispute concerning the distribution of Godavari water intended for the Krishna basin, awarding Karnataka 21 TMC for use in the Krishna Basin out of the total 80 TMC available for diversion,” Deve Gowda emphasized.
“The MOJS ought to have adhered to this established principle and allocated an appropriate share to Karnataka in the DPR of the Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery link. By failing to do so, the MOJS has disregarded all principles of fairness and natural justice,” he expressed his frustration.
The former PM added, “As you are aware, the discussion around the inter-linking of rivers has been ongoing at a national level for the past 40 to 50 years under the National Perspective Plan. This plan proposes linking the Mahanadi to Godavari and subsequently linking Godavari to Krishna, Pennar, and Cauvery rivers under the Peninsular River Development (PRD) scheme.
“This initiative is set to be executed by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), a Government of India entity. The NWDA plans to commence the Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery link in Phase I, followed by the Mahanadi-Godavari link and the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar link (all in Tamil Nadu) in the second phase.”
The NWDA commissioned the feasibility report for the Godavari-Cauvery link in 2004.
“The project report for the Godavari-Cauvery link has been revised multiple times based on ground realities and existing circumstances.
“Initially, it was estimated that around 136 TMC of water would be available to Cauvery through diversion from Godavari, with the delivery point located below Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu.
“Karnataka had earnestly hoped that approximately 35 to 40 TMC of water would be accessible to it as a substitute for use in the Cauvery basin,” he stated.
“During the Budget discussions in the Rajya Sabha on February 8, 2022, I highlighted that Tamil Nadu had already begun implementing the Cauvery Vaigai-Gundar link illegally, despite it not being included in Phase I of the project.
“I insisted that the share of Karnataka from the water to be diverted from Godavari to Cauvery should be established before finalizing the DPR,” Gowda concluded.
“Following the Budget presentation, the Secretary of MOJS, Government of India, convened a meeting on February 18, 2022, which included representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.
“I learned in that meeting that approximately 247 TMC of water would be diverted from Godavari in Phase 1, distributed among Andhra Pradesh (90 TMC), Telangana (60 TMC), and Tamil Nadu (97 TMC),” he detailed.
“However, Karnataka was not provided with a copy of the DPR or any documentation for discussion to verify these aspects of the proposal.
“Since no water was allocated to Karnataka, our representatives voiced strong objections and insisted on receiving our rightful share of water based on the principles of fairness and natural justice.
“They also informed the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha about Karnataka’s long-standing struggles with severe water shortages for irrigation and drinking,” Gowda pointed out.
Gowda noted that the reality that Cauvery is a deficit basin and that Karnataka has more drought-affected taluks than Tamil Nadu, a fact acknowledged by both the Tribunal and the Supreme Court, was also highlighted to the Chairman during the aforementioned meeting to justify Karnataka's rightful demand for diverted water.
“During the discussions, the Chairman reportedly indicated that Karnataka's demand could be addressed in the second phase once the Mahanadi is linked to Godavari,” ex-PM Gowda stated.
