Madurai: In a move to improve relations with Tamil Nadu and give respite to the farmers, the newly elected Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy instructed his officials to release 20,000 cusecs from Kabini dam in Madurai on Friday.
Kumaraswamy expressed that with this move there would be smooth sharing of Cauvery river water with the neighbouring state, as there are bright prospects of a good monsoon this year.
Speaking at an event, the Chief Minister said, “I have instructed irrigation officials to release 20,000 cusecs from the Kabini dam. There is bright chance for good monsoon rains this year… If the monsoon continues like this, we can give Tamil Nadu’s share of 10 TMC in June as per the Cauvery water sharing authority’s order.”
Kumaraswamy further added that the farmers of both the states will be benefited with this release of water from Kabini dam. Speaking to the reporters after offering worship at the Sri Meenakshi temple in Madurai, he said, “By the grace of God the monsoon has so far been good and has created a smooth atmosphere in sharing Cauvery water”.
Soon after the announcement, Makkal Needhi Maiam founder and renowned actor Kamal Haasan expressed his happiness. The actor tweeted, “Spoke to @CMofKarnataka. Expressed my pleasure on the opening of Kabini. Ultimately even after the Cauvery water management Authority starts functioning, only goodwill between the two states will open many more shut doors.”
Earlier this month, Hasan met the Congress-Janata Dal Secular (JDS)-led government leader in Bangaluru and had discussed his concerns on the water sharing issue between two states.
With Inputs from PTI
Photo credit: Deccan Chronicle