Chennai: Tamil Nadu energy and law minister R Nirmalkumar on Friday strongly condemned Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar's attempt to conduct a bhoomi puja for a dam across the Cauvery river in Mekedatu. He also criticized Shivakumar's remarks on the Mekedatu dam issue, cautioning him against stoking controversies for political mileage over the inter-state water dispute.
Minister Warns Against Provocative Actions
Terming Shivakumar's actions as unwarranted, Nirmalkumar warned that such rhetoric could lead to unnecessary law-and-order problems and severely affect the livelihoods of people in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. He emphasized that all actions must be taken through proper legal provisions.
"We strongly condemn the Karnataka deputy CM for acting against the rules and violating the existing legal framework governing inter-state water issues. DK Shivakumar has been doing this purely for political reasons, and we strongly condemn such an irresponsible act," Nirmalkumar said.
Legal Recourse and Tribunal Approach
The minister pointed out that Karnataka had only been asked to submit a detailed project report. "In the meantime, they attempted to conduct a bhoomi puja for the Mekedatu project, which triggered an unwanted situation. Karnataka must respect inter-state policies, as well as the directions of the Supreme Court and the tribunal," Nirmalkumar said.
He added that Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay would never allow the upper riparian state to unilaterally go ahead with its project plan. The Tamil Nadu government is prepared to take all necessary legal recourse to safeguard the state's rights in the Cauvery water dispute, having already approached the tribunal against Karnataka's recent moves.
Other Issues: Parole for Muslim Convicts and SOP for Crimes Against Women
The minister also addressed the long-standing plea for parole for Muslim convicts serving long prison terms. "We are currently taking measures to grant them parole. The next step will focus on providing them permanent relief. We are actively working on this within the existing legal framework," he said.
Nirmalkumar noted that the government is on the verge of establishing a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to handle crimes against women and children. The primary objective is to ensure speedy trials and secure swift justice for victims.
