From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 14: Even as Karnataka is facing the threat of drought for the fourth consecutive year with four major reservoirs in the Cauvery Basin in Karnataka have received lowest inflows during the last 46 years, the State Government has again appealed farmers of the basin area to take up only rain-fed crops.

After holding separate all-party meetings on the twin issued of Cauvery and Mahadayi in Bengaluru on Monday, the Chief Minister said it has decided against releasing water to fresh crops - paddy and sugarcane. 

However, the standing crops in the basin area would get water through tanks, he said.

While the average inflows during the last 43 years was 122.89 tmcft, the current storage in four major reservoirs of the Cauvery river basin — KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathi has 43 tmcft of water.

The decision to release water for drinking purpose and standing crops was taken at an all-party meeting of the representatives from the Cauvery basin convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Monday to discuss the demand by farmers to release water from the reservoirs.

Siddaramaiah, who briefed the press after the meeting, said the water required for crops was 96 tmcft. 

Last year, the government stopped release of water to crops owing to severe shortage in water levels in four reservoirs owing to erratic monsoon.

The Congress, BJP and JD(S) are keen to settle the dispute with Goa and Maharashtra governments. 

The Karnataka government has decided to hold talks with the Manohar Parrikar government after a BJP delegation led by B.S. Yeddyurappa convinces Goa on the need for an out-of-court settlement, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

The delegation will meet Parrikar after the by-elections.  

Yeddyurappa said that he will seek 7.5 tmcft of drinking water for Karnataka. He added that he was also in touch with the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Siddaramaiah said he too would discuss the issue with Congress leaders in Goa and explain to them the benefits of the out-of-court settlement.

An all-party meeting chaired by Siddaramaiah to resolve the dispute also proposed to seek the Prime Minister’s intervention.