Bengaluru: Karnataka MLA N. Chaluvarayaswamy on Monday said the state government will take a decision on releasing water to irrigation canals only after the outcome of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) meeting and consultations with the Chief Minister and the Water Resources Minister.
Chaluvarayaswamy said the demand from farmers in Mandya district to release water for sugarcane crops, irrigation tanks and lakes was justified, adding that protecting farmers’ interests remained the government’s priority. However, he noted that lower-than-expected monsoon rainfall had reduced water levels in reservoirs, making it necessary to balance irrigation requirements with drinking water needs.
He said all MLAs from Mandya district had already discussed the issue with the Chief Minister, who assured them that an appropriate decision would be taken after the CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) meetings in New Delhi.
According to Chaluvarayaswamy, Karnataka officials will present the state’s position on reservoir storage, drinking water requirements and crop conditions before the Cauvery authorities. Based on the outcome of the meetings, the government will decide whether to release water into canals.
Expressing hope, he said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall in the coming days, which could improve inflows into the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir. He urged farmers not to panic, noting that there was still time for sowing.
Appealing to all political parties to avoid politicising the issue, Chaluvarayaswamy said, “This is a matter of farmers’ livelihoods. The government stands with the farmers, and no one should play politics over such a sensitive issue.”
