Cauvery dispute: Priyank Kharge urges Centre to simplify drought management guidelines

BENGALURU: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said the state government has urged the Centre to simplify drought management guidelines while maintaining its firm position on the Cauvery water dispute.Kharge said the monsoon season is only halfway through and Karnataka needs more flexible norms to effectively handle the changing situation. "We have appealed to the Centre for drought management. Only 50% of the monsoon has ended. The Centre's guidelines will be followed only after the rainy season is over. For that, the Centre has been requested to simplify the central rules," he told ANI.The state minister also targeted Union Minister Prahlad Joshi politically, alleging that he had failed to raise Karnataka’s concerns at the national level. "Our stance on Cauvery water is clear. We can only give water to our people, but the Chief Minister has also asked for cooperation.