‘Not our business what resolutions they pass’: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Tamil Nadu’s stand on Mekedatu dam project

BENGALURU: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Friday defended the state’s proposed Mekedatu dam project, asserting that Karnataka would continue to pursue its interests through legal means while responding to the Tamil Nadu assembly’s resolution opposing the project.

"The Tamil Nadu government is free to pass whatever resolution they want. It is not our business what resolutions they pass. Already, there is an order by the Supreme Court, and if they want to go ahead with a legal battle or find a legal remedy for this, they are welcome to do so. We are not trying to take away anybody's rights. Whatever excess is flowing, that is all we are trying to harness for our people. And legally, whatever needs to be done, they can also do, just as we are free to do," Kharge told ANI.He asserted that Karnataka was not seeking to encroach on the rights of any other state and was merely aiming to utilise surplus water flowing through the river system for the welfare of its people.The Mekedatu project has long been a point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the latter raising concerns that the proposed dam could affect downstream water availability.Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution moved by chief minister C Joseph Vijay opposing the proposed Mekedatu dam project.

The resolution received support from all parties, including the Congress and the VCK, reflecting a united stand by the Assembly against the project. It stated that any attempt to proceed with the dam would violate existing legal provisions and undermine the rights and interests of the people of Tamil Nadu. The resolution moved by the chief minister stated, "This August House records its strong objection to the unilateral attempt of the Government of Karnataka to construct a dam across the Cauvery River at Mekedatu, without respecting the Final Award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal dated 5.2.2007 and the Judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 16.2.2018, without obtaining the concurrence of the concerned basin States, and without securing any approval from the Union Government.

Such an action is not at all acceptable." The resolution also urged the Central Government to withhold all approvals and clearances required for the project. "This August House urges the Union Government not to grant any form of approval, including technical and environmental clearances, to the Mekedatu Dam Project proposed by the Government of Karnataka,'' the resolution states. Highlighting the water scarcity in the region, the resolution noted, ''The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Hon'ble Supreme Court have observed that the Cauvery Basin is a deficit basin and that the total available water in the basin has already been apportioned among the basin States. Therefore, no new project can be undertaken in the Cauvery Basin, nor can any additional quantity of water be utilised.''(With agency inputs)