Karnataka planning to set up permanent water commission on the lines of Central Water Commission

Karnataka is planning to establish a permanent water commission comprising technical experts on the lines of the Central Water Commission, to recommend to the State government measures on water security and on matters of water disputes.

Announcing the State-level commission, Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday said that apart from providing inputs on water disputes, the commission will assess demand and availability of water in the State, and fix responsibility on farmers for water usage. The commission will be set up shortly, he said, adding that a legislation is required to set it up.

“The Bill in this regard will be introduced in the legislature shortly. However, it is doubtful that it will be piloted during the ensuing Winter Session,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the commission will study the current irrigation system and improvements or changes needed in the system, crop pattern, flooding and water management during disasters, and emergency measures needed, and recommend to the government. “The commission will have 10 to 15 technical experts. It will have representatives from the Irrigation and the Finance Departments, experts from the field of environmental science and water resources, and progressive farmers among others. The commission will play a decisive role in ensuring water security and ensure water resources to the future generations.”

Among other things, the commission will look into water management in the allocation of the Cauvery water to Bengaluru for the next 50 years. It will also be studying modern irrigation systems and sustainable use of water.

Mekedatu hearing

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court hearing on the Mekedatu drinking water project is coming up on November 6, and the Deputy Chief Minister will be travelling to Delhi. Stating that the project will not affect Tamil Nadu, and the area on submergence is also not large, he said that a project office has already been opened 2 km away from the Tamil Nadu border.

Mr. Shivakumar also said that Karnataka has already released 291 tmcft. of water during this year against the stipulated 147 tmcft. till October-end. The annual release stipulated is 177 tmcft. “Because of the copious rains, Karnataka has released double the stipulated quantum of water.”

Book release

A book Neerina Hejje by Mr. Shivakumar on water issues will be released on November 5 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to him, the book will serve as an encyclopedia comprising details of international and national water disputes. Among those who will be present during the launch are former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Ministers M.B. Patil, H.K. Patil, and N.S. Boseraju, and senior advocate Mohan V. Katarki.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the book has been written to highlight the history of irrigation, water management, and challenges. He said that experience and the legal challenges witnessed as the Water Resources Minister in the current government and in the Janata Dal Secular -Congress coalition government has been incorporated.

“Political narrative is not part of the book. But river water related developments have been chronicled. The book contains details of inter-river linking projects. Details of 14 Himalayan rivers, 16 flowing in South India, and 37 inter-State river linking projects have been provided.”