The AIADMK and the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association (TNFA), affiliated with the CPI, have opposed the amended version of the state government's resolution on the Mekedatu dam, passed unanimously by the legislative assembly. The amendment calls for a tribunal to resolve the inter-state river water dispute with Karnataka.
AIADMK Rejects Amended Resolution
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami issued a statement on Friday night expressing support for the original resolution moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay but rejecting the amended version. He criticized the amendment, introduced following a demand by Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin for a tribunal, for being put to vote without being proposed, seconded, or discussed. “The Speaker declaring that the amended resolution was passed is a violation of Assembly rules. The amended resolution cannot be considered a government resolution. Whom is this resolution meant to please? Whom is it meant to betray?” asked the former chief minister.
Background of the Tribunal Demand
Speaking in the House, Udhayanidhi Stalin said the previous DMK regime, on March 4 and under instructions of then Chief Minister M K Stalin, had written to the Union Jal Shakti ministry seeking constitution of a tribunal on grounds that a new dispute had arisen. In its letter, the DMK government argued that Karnataka's action amounts to a water dispute, as no state can claim exclusive rights over the waters of an inter-state river. It stated that an upper riparian state should not take any action that affects scheduled water releases, interferes with the integrated operation of designated reservoirs, or obstructs flows from the uncontrolled catchment above Biligundulu. It also maintained that new projects, including Mekedatu, are inadmissible.
Farmers Association Opposes Amendment
On Saturday, TNFA general secretary P S Masilamani said such information had not been made public and farmers were unaware of it. “It is unclear how the previous government put forward such a proposal to the Union government without the knowledge of the people of Tamil Nadu. This amendment cannot be accepted,” he said, strongly urging the government to submit the resolution to the Centre only after removing the amendment. He added that demanding the establishment of a legal body to facilitate the Mekedatu project, which Tamil Nadu cannot accept under any circumstances, or bringing this matter up for discussion would only work to Karnataka’s advantage.
Resolution Sent to Union Government
Sources said the Tamil Nadu government sent the copy of the resolution to the Union government on Friday evening itself. Incidentally, the CPI and AIADMK, among others, supported the resolution when it was put to vote.
