Cauvery water for Karaikal;CM should act fast to protect ryots

Puducherry,Aug 28 (PTI): Opposition AIADMK today demandedthat Chief Minister V Narayanasamy bring in a resolution inthe ongoing budget session to condemn Karnataka’s ‘negativestand’ in releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, as it wouldryots in Karaikal, who are dependent on it. AIADMK legislature wing leader A Anbalagan told reportersthat Karnataka’s stand was letting down farmers in Tamil Nadu.Consequently farmers in Karaikal area in Puducherry region inthe delta zone at the tail end of the Cauvery basin would alsoface severe hardship for want of water from Karnataka. He urged the Chief Minister to act fast and protectfarmers of Karaikal by procuring water. He said the government should also move the Supreme Courtalong the lines of the stand taken by Tamil Nadu and ensurethat Puducherry’s share in the Cauvery water asmandated by Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal is made available. Karaikal is entitled to 7 tmc feet of water as perthe verdict of the tribunal. Anbalagan said the CM should ensure that the currentAssembly session adopt the resolution to condemn Karnataka`snegative stand and ensure water availabaility to Karaikal. The budget being presented by the Chief Minister tomorrowshould also highlight steps to disburse retirement benefits toworkers and staff of government owned AFT mills, who had takenvoluntary retirement, but were now living in penury, he said. Anbalagan criticised government’s ‘silence’ onavailability of seats to students who had cleared NEET foradmission to private medical colleges. There was no clear information on the number of candidateswho had successfully cleared NEET and government should getclear information from CBSE which conducted the test, he said.PTI COR APRAPR