Karnataka CM, DyCM meet Jal Shakti Minister, say unable to release Cauvery water to TN
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday called on Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat here and informed him of the state's inability to comply with the CWMA's order of releasing 5,000 cusecs of water per day till September 28 to Tamil Nadu, citing a drought-like situation.
The meeting came in the backdrop of protests by farmers bodies against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.
However, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directing the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
During the meeting, the Deputy CM also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to resolve this matter by convening a meeting of four states -- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
BJP MPs including union ministers Shobha Karandlaje, Bhagawanth Khuba and A Narayanaswamy as well as state Congress ministers were present in the meeting.
"All MPs have supported and the Jal Shakti Minister has assured justice will be given to the state. He has asked the state officials to provide the facts and they (Centre) are also waiting for the Supreme Court decision," Shivakumar told reporters after the meeting.
During the meeting, the minister informed that farmers and various organisations are protesting against the release of water to the neighbouring state.
Karnataka is facing water shortage due to lack of monsoon rainfall. The state needs more than 106 TMC of water for not only drinking but for irrigation and industries.
However, there is only 51 TMC of water in four reservoirs at present. The inflow of water is reducing day-by-day. The state has lost the kharif crop and it will be a difficult situation for the rabi crops as well, he said.
Shivakumar further said that the state government was able to comply with earlier orders issued by the CWMA. The latest one issued on September 18 is not possible to comply.
However, the state government is releasing about 4,000 cusecs of water per day to the neighbouring state, he said.
"Though Tamil Nadu is aware of the distressing situation, I think they have used the opportunity to have more crops. But we don't want to intervene on that issue. We feel that Karnataka is facing a lot of problems," he added.
Shivakumar informed the central minister that the state in August faced a rainfall shortage for the first time in 123 years. In times of distress, there is no formula to decide how much water is to be released for Tamil Nadu.
On Wednesday, the state government had held a meeting with all MPs of Karnataka and sought their support on this issue.
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
