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TN CM urges Patel to release water

Even as the Centre postponed the Cauvery River Authority meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today requested his Karnataka counterpart J H Patel to come to the relief of farmers in the delta region and release 'at least some water' till the next meeting was convened.

Talking to newsmen after a cabinet meeting which had discussed the Cauvery water issue and the problems faced by the state farmers, Karunandihi expressed hope that Karnataka would not hesitate to release water in view of the rains in catchment areas.

He made the request when Patel spoke to him over telephone in the midst of the cabinet meeting to explain his inability to attend tomorrow's meeting in view of his ill-health, Karunanidhi said.

A visibly happy Karunanidhi said even as Karnataka was maintaining that there was not enough water for them, nature was kind enough to come to the rescue of the farmers.

Following recent rains in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the inflow into the Mettur reservoir had increased to 10,592 cusecs. Till yesterday, the inflow was a paltry 2,024 cusecs, he added.

The chief minister said that he had also sent a note to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to prevail upon the Karnataka government to ensure the early release of water till he convened the meeting of the Cauvery Water Authority.

UNI

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