Ramadoss Asserts Karnataka Lacks Justification For Mekedatu Dam Project

PMK Leader Challenges Legal Basis of Dam Proposal

Chennai, Nov 9 (IANS) — PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has strongly criticised Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the proposed Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery River, asserting that Karnataka possesses no legal or moral right to build the structure without Tamil Nadu's consent. Ramadoss accused the Karnataka chief minister of misrepresenting Supreme Court observations and attempting to create a confrontation with Tamil Nadu for political gains. He described Shivakumar’s claim that the Supreme Court permitted the project without Tamil Nadu's approval as misleading, maintaining that the apex court had never granted such permission. According to Ramadoss, the Supreme Court only indicated that the Cauvery Water Management Authority should examine the proposal according to established legal procedures. He noted that under this framework, Tamil Nadu could challenge any adverse decision before the court.

Citing Historical Agreements and Tribunal Awards

Ramadoss cited the Cauvery water-sharing agreements of 1892 and 1924, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's 2007 award, and the Supreme Court's 2018 judgment to argue that Karnataka could not undertake projects adversely affecting downstream states. He recalled that former Union Water Resources Ministers Uma Bharti and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had maintained that the project could not proceed without Tamil Nadu's consent. Ramadoss urged the Union government to reject Karnataka's interpretation of Supreme Court proceedings and ensure no approval was granted for the Mekedatu project without Tamil Nadu's consent. The PMK leader also called upon the Centre to condemn what he described as Karnataka's attempts to mislead the public on the interstate water dispute.

Allegations of Political Motives and Water Shortages

Ramadoss alleged that the ruling Congress party was politicizing the dispute to seek electoral advantages in Cauvery basin districts ahead of the next Assembly elections. He claimed the Karnataka government might allocate funds in its forthcoming budget and initiate foundation-stone ceremonies to generate political momentum around the project. Furthermore, Ramadoss alleged that Karnataka had consistently failed to release Tamil Nadu's rightful share of Cauvery water, allowing substantial flows downstream primarily during flooding periods. He warned that the proposed reservoir, with a storage capacity of approximately 70 TMC, could further restrict downstream flows and threaten Tamil Nadu's irrigation and drinking water requirements.