The Supreme Court should initiate contempt proceedings against the Karnataka government for refusing to comply with the directive of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release water to Tamil Nadu, P. R. Pandian, president, Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu, has said.
The statements of Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara that they cannot release water as per the direction of CWMA is highly condemnable. “If Karanataka refuses to release water as per CWMA directions based on the recommendations of the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee on distress-sharing basis, the Supreme Court should initiate contempt proceedings against the State government,” Mr. Pandian said in a statement issued here.
Mr. Pandian, who inspected various villages in Nagapattinam district on Tuesday, said that although Mettur Dam was opened for irrigation 15 days ago, water had not reached the irrigation canals in villages in Nagapattinam district.
Farmers were unable to take up direct sowing as there has been no rain and fields remained too dry to take up ploughing. Farmers were anxious on whether they would be able to take up samba cultivation at all. The Water Resources Department should ensure that the water reached all villages.
Mr. Pandian said he would launch a campaign from Poompuhar on September 20 to promote a consensus among political parties in Tamil Nadu against Karnataka’s proposal to build a reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu and to press for the construction of a reservoir across the river at Rasimanal.
Published – September 15, 2026 08:23 pm IST
