Cauvery river to protect the Kurvai paddy fields of Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has expressed its hope to save the standing paddy crop in the state by using Cauvery water released from Karnataka.

The development comes amid protests in Karnataka, where the Congress-led government has been directed by the Supreme Court to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day by September 27 following an order by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

In response, protests broke out in Tamil Nadu, with farmers demanding release of Cauvery water to support their agricultural activities.

Tamil Nadu State Water Resources Minister Duraimurgan said he was optimistic about saving the crop thanks to the inflow of Cauvery water.

He emphasized that Karnataka’s release of water was in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive, and it was a matter of political ethics to follow the court’s decision. He also noted that the decision to accept or reject Karnataka’s initiatives rests with the Karnataka government.

In a separate development, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami held the ruling DMK responsible for the tragic death of MK Rajakumar, a farmer from Thirakuvalai. Rajkumar reportedly faced severe hardship as his standing paddy crop withered due to inadequate water supply.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Palaniswami expressed his condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family and friends. He urged the state government to provide financial assistance of Rs 35,000 per acre to farmers who have faced crop loss.

In summary, Tamil Nadu hopes to secure its paddy crop with the Cauvery water it receives from Karnataka, despite ongoing protests and disputes between the two states. The release of water is in compliance with Supreme Court orders, and the situation has raised concerns about the welfare of farmers in the region with demands for compensation for crop losses.

First Published: 26 Sep 2023, 12:40 IST