Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha over the Centre’s stand on the Mekedatu dam. He demanded an immediate discussion on Cauvery to protect the legal rights of Tamil Nadu farmers and the state.
New Delhi [भारत]July 28 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday gave notice of an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha. In this, he has sought an immediate discussion on the stand of the Central Government on protecting the legal rights and interests of farmers of Tamil Nadu in the background of construction activities on the Cauvery River and the proposed Mekedatu project in Karnataka.
In his notice, Tagore described the issue as “a matter of urgent public importance” and expressed concern over the Centre’s recent response regarding the proposed Mekedatu project. Referring to the reaction of the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, the Congress MP said the government’s statement has caused “deep concern and disappointment” among the people of Tamil Nadu that Karnataka is not required to take the consent of the lower riparian states for construction on the Cauvery as per the Supreme Court judgement.
Accusation of ignoring the rights of Tamil Nadu
Tagore said the issue is not just about obtaining permission or consent, but about protecting the legal rights of Tamil Nadu, implementing the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal decision as amended by the Supreme Court, and ensuring that any upstream activity does not adversely impact the state’s share of the Cauvery waters.
In his notice, the Congress leader said Cauvery is the lifeline of Tamil Nadu, supporting the livelihood of millions of farmers, underpinning the agricultural economy of the Cauvery delta and providing drinking water to millions of people. He argued that no state should have an unrestricted right to carry out activities in an inter-state river basin if such activities would adversely affect the legally protected interests of another state, and said that the rights of downstream states could not be ignored.
Tagore further alleged that the stance of the central government has created a perception in Tamil Nadu that the concerns of the state’s farmers are being ignored and the Center is failing to act as a neutral guardian of federal justice.
Demand from the government through adjournment motion
Through an adjournment motion, the Congress MP demanded that the Central government immediately clarify its position on protecting Tamil Nadu’s interests in the Cauvery basin. They also demanded that no approval be given for any project that could affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery waters or the implementation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal judgment and the Supreme Court judgment.
He further urged the Center to ensure that Tamil Nadu’s objections and concerns are fully considered before taking any further decisions on the proposed Mekedatu project and called on the Central Government to act as a neutral constitutional authority while equally protecting the rights of all states.
What is an adjournment motion?
An adjournment motion in Parliament is brought to draw the attention of the House to a matter of urgent public importance which requires immediate discussion. If it is accepted by the Speaker, it overrides the pre-determined business of the day. The Mekedatu issue in the Cauvery basin has been pending for many years. The Karnataka government has also resolved in its assembly to build a dam on the Cauvery basin. (ANI)
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