Stating that the Supreme Court was the last hope for Tamil Nadu to resolve the Cauvery water dispute, Minister for Energy Resources and Law R. Nirmalkumar on Saturday said the Union Government, instead of favouring one particular State in interstate-water sharing disputes, should take control of the dams and their operation and ensure release of water.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the only option available before the Tamil Nadu Government now for resolving the dispute was the Supreme Court, as successive Karnataka governments, irrespective of the political parties ruling the State, had been determined not to share the river water with Tamil Nadu.
The 50-year agreement between Madras Presidency and Mysore on sharing Cauvery water that lapsed in 1974 should have been renewed. However, the great opportunity was missed by the then DMK government in power. Hence, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, which had the power to take control of the dam if the Authority’s order for releasing water was not honoured by Karnataka, was approached. However, the great opportunity Tamil Nadu had in 1998 was also missed by the then DMK government led by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and then PWD Minister Durai Murugan.
Mr. Nirmalkumar recalled that the DMK, when it was in power, did not exert pressure on its allies at the Centre in 2007 to notify the Cauvery water management scheme in the gazette. Only in 2013, it was gazetted due to the efforts taken by then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, and the Cauvery Water Management Authority could be formed in 2018, but its directions were not honoured.
“So, interstate water sharing issues can be resolved either by the Union Government or the Supreme Court. When a State Government refuses to listen to it, the Centre should take control of the dam and its operations. Since the Union Minister is also speaking against Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court is the only and last hope,” he said.
The Union Minister, who should impartially mediate inter-State river water disputes, did not have clarity about the issue and, hence, was speaking in favour of Karnataka and against Tamil Nadu, like an enemy. Without understanding the verdict given in 2018, he was favouring Karnataka’s move to build a new dam. While the Supreme Court was the only option for resolution, the Chief Minister would also explore other possibilities such as approaching the Union government, Mr. Nirmal Kumar said.
On complaints pertaining to power billing spike, the Minister said it was not 3.70 lakh complaints as being claimed by DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Tangedco had taken up many bills for reassessment of unusual spike in electricity bills, which would be normal during summer due to increased use of air-conditioners.
Around 10,000 bills were reassessed and only 50 were found to be abnormal with reading mismatch. “Even these cases are due to doors closed when the assessor went there for taking electricity reading in the previous month. Mr. Stalin, who was heading the administration as Chief Minister without understanding anything, is creating panic among the public. We are ready to give due explanation and clarity to the aggrieved public including Mr. Stalin,” Mr. Nirmalkumar further said.
On monthly assessment of electricity bill, he said recruitment of staff for Tangedco, including multipurpose staff for taking readings, was going on. Only after due manpower was ensured, the monthly assessment would start.
Published – August 01, 2026 06:22 pm IST
