Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Farmers Demand Joint Survey on Cauvery Delta

Call for Joint Survey Amidst Ongoing Disputes

The Cauvery Farmers Association has urged that if Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay proceeds with his plan for bilateral discussions, Karnataka's Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar should also visit the affected rice-growing regions in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta. P. R. Pandian, the General Secretary of the association, stated that during Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's visit on August 3, arrangements were being made for Shivakumar to conduct an aerial survey of the dams in his state.

Pandian emphasized that in response, Shivakumar should be brought to Tamil Nadu to assess the conditions in the Cauvery Delta districts. He mentioned to reporters, "This would provide the Karnataka Chief Minister with a direct opportunity to evaluate the actual damage to the dried Kuruvai rice crops."

He expressed opposition on behalf of the farmers to Vijay's proposed visit, asserting that political discussions should not be used as a means to establish a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River at Mekedatu, as this would adversely affect Tamil Nadu's agricultural prospects. Pandian reiterated that farmers have consistently stressed that rights obtained through legal battles should not be compromised under the guise of bilateral talks.