Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy on Wednesday, 7 October declared that the Mekedatu project was the only lasting solution to the long-running Cauvery water dispute, reaffirming the state government's commitment to completing it within the current tenure. He made the remarks at a meeting with farmer leaders held at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium in Mandya, called to discuss drought conditions, drinking water shortages, and related grievances.

Foundation Stone by March, Land Acquisition in 13 Districts

Chaluvarayaswamy said land acquisition would be required across 13 districts for the Mekedatu project and expressed confidence that the foundation stone could be laid by March. He said all technical and legal groundwork had been completed and that a request had already been submitted to the Central Water Commission, with officials continuously monitoring the matter in New Delhi.

'All technical and legal preparations have been made for the Mekedatu project. A request has already been submitted to the Central Water Commission, and our officials are continuously monitoring the matter in Delhi,' he said, urging farmers to remain patient.

Karnataka's Stand on Cauvery Water Release

On the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, the Minister said Karnataka had released considerably less water this year compared with previous years. He added that the state was continuously placing facts about its drought situation and reservoir levels before the courts. The minister also noted that the sixth-phase drinking water project had been designed solely to meet drinking water requirements, separate from irrigation demands.

He said a meeting with irrigation experts and farmer representatives could be convened in Bengaluru if necessary, signalling an openness to further consultations. This comes amid persistent farmer anxiety over water availability in the Cauvery basin, a politically sensitive zone that has historically been at the centre of inter-state disputes.

Drought Relief and Water Infrastructure Plans

Responding to demands for higher drought compensation, Chaluvarayaswamy said the ₹2,500 per acre announced by the state government was interim assistance and would be credited to farmers' accounts within two days. He also said a Central team was currently assessing drought conditions across Karnataka. Farmer organisations, however, submitted a memorandum demanding ₹30,000 per acre as drought relief, an increase in old-age pensions to ₹3,000, drinking water for livestock, and clearance of lake encroachments.

The Minister also said plans were being prepared to construct reservoirs near the Nugu reservoir and at Tannur Lake to address long-term water-related issues in the region.

MANMUL Scam and Milk Price Hike

Turning to the alleged Mandya District Co-operative Milk Producers' Societies' Union Limited (MANMUL) scam, Chaluvarayaswamy said legal action had been initiated within 24 hours of the issue coming to light. The district police were investigating the matter, and he said a higher-level probe could be ordered if necessary. 'Even if those accused were members of my own family, there is no question of protecting them,' he said, adding that he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and that there would be no favouritism in the case.

On a proposed milk price hike, the minister said the government had sought permission from the Election Commission as the Model Code of Conduct was in force in certain districts. If approval were granted, the hike would be implemented immediately; otherwise, it would be deferred until after the elections.

What Farmers Are Demanding

Farmer organisations at the meeting submitted a memorandum listing several demands: expediting the Mekedatu project, ₹30,000 per acre drought relief, old-age pensions raised to ₹3,000, drinking water access for livestock, and clearing of lake encroachments. The gap between the government's interim relief of ₹2,500 per acre and the farmers' demand of ₹30,000 underscores the depth of agrarian distress in Mandya this season. With assembly elections looming in some districts and water politics perennially volatile in the Cauvery basin, how the government responds to these demands will be closely watched.