Centre committed to implementing Mekedatu project: Union Minister V Somanna

Bengaluru: Union Minister V Somanna has said that the Centre is committed to implementing the Mekedatu project in coordination with both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of a one-day workshop on “Rightful share of water,” organised by the Cauvery River Protection Committee at Kuvempu Kalakshetra in Bengaluru on Saturday.

“The Central Government will stand by you if the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments hold discussions and reach an agreement regarding the Mekedatu project,” Somanna assured.

Pointing out that Tamil Nadu has been availing the benefits of Cauvery water for nearly 50 years, he said, “As a Union Minister, I may not speak on all matters. But our intention is to bring both states on the same path and sail together. It pains me that we are unable to utilise our rightful share of Cauvery water.”

Somanna further said that the time has come to find solutions for South India’s long-standing problems. “One state must win over another with love and trust. Governments may come and go, but if we fail to resolve such complex issues, future generations will not forgive us,” he remarked.

He stressed the need to prioritise issues based on current realities. “Poverty is not permanent for anyone. There is no law that prevents poor children from rising to higher positions. I will discuss the takeaways of this seminar with the concerned minister,” he said.

Referring to his own constituency, Somanna expressed concern that people in 47 villages still depend on borewell water. “In North Indian states, every inch of water is used judiciously. But in my Lok Sabha constituency, 47 villages still drink borewell water. This causes me great pain,” he added.

The event was attended by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V Gopala Gowda, former MLCs A Deve Gowda and K A Tippeswamy, senior Karnataka High Court advocate R S Ravi, retired IAS officers T Timmegowda and Dr C Somashekhar, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha State President Badagalapura Nagendra, and former president of the State Government Employees’ Association H K Ramu, among others.