Congress Lok Sabha member Manickam Tagore has submitted a notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, seeking an urgent debate on the Centre's stance regarding construction activities across the Cauvery River — particularly the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project in Karnataka — and the imperative to protect Tamil Nadu's legal rights and the livelihoods of its farmers. The notice, addressed to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, was filed on 28 July.

Why Tagore Called It 'Grave Public Importance'

In his notice, Tagore described the matter as one of 'grave public importance', arguing that the Centre's recent parliamentary response on the Mekedatu project has triggered widespread anxiety across Tamil Nadu. He emphasised that the Cauvery is the lifeline of the state, sustaining lakhs of farmers in the delta region and serving as a critical drinking water source for millions of residents.

Tagore contended that any construction activity — whether a reservoir or a dam — that alters the river's natural flow would directly imperil Tamil Nadu's water security and agricultural economy.

What the Centre Said — and Why It Drew Criticism

The Congress MP took sharp aim at the Union Government's reply in Parliament, in which the Minister of State for Jal Shakti reportedly stated that the Supreme Court's judgment on the Cauvery dispute does not require Karnataka to obtain the consent of downstream riparian states before undertaking construction across the river.

According to Tagore, this position fails to adequately address Tamil Nadu's concerns and has deepened apprehension in the state. He argued that the core issue goes beyond the question of consent: the Centre, he maintained, bears a constitutional obligation to protect Tamil Nadu's lawful share of Cauvery waters as determined by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and subsequently modified by the Supreme Court.

Tamil Nadu's Legal and Constitutional Claim

Tagore asserted that no upstream state should be permitted to undertake projects that could diminish or adversely affect the water available to downstream states. Referring specifically to the Mekedatu project proposed by Karnataka, he said Tamil Nadu has every legal and constitutional right to oppose any development that could threaten its allocated share of Cauvery waters or the livelihoods of farmers dependent on the river.

He noted that farmers in the Cauvery delta have already endured decades of uncertainty over water releases and should not be subjected to further distress arising from unilateral decisions taken upstream. This is not the first time the Mekedatu project has sparked an inter-state flashpoint — Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the proposal, and the dispute has periodically escalated into a political flashpoint between the two states.

What the Congress MP Demanded

In the adjournment motion, Tagore called on the Centre to immediately clarify its position on protecting Tamil Nadu's interests in the Cauvery basin. He also demanded that no approval be granted to the Mekedatu project or any other upstream proposal that could affect Tamil Nadu's allocated water share until the state's objections are fully considered.

He further alleged that the Centre's stance has created a perception that Tamil Nadu's farmers are being overlooked, and urged the Central government to act as a neutral constitutional authority, ensuring fairness between basin states and upholding the principles of cooperative federalism.

With the monsoon session of Parliament under way, the adjournment motion puts fresh pressure on the Centre to respond — and signals that the Cauvery dispute remains far from settled.