Vijay Writes To PM Modi, Objects To Jal Shakti Ministry's Reply On Mekedatu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has formally objected to the Indian Jal Shakti Ministry's stance on the Mekedatu dam project. The ministry argued that Karnataka does not require prior consent from lower riparian states, contradicting the Chief Minister's interpretation of a 2018 Supreme Court judgment.
Why it matters
This dispute underscores ongoing tensions over water rights and inter-state resource management in India, which have significant political and agricultural implications.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi objecting to Jal Shakti Ministry's recent reply on the Mekedatu dam issue in parliament. Calling the response disappointing, he said it appears to have been made without "without taking into consideration the prevailing legal position and settled law with regard to the consent of the lower riparian states".The ministry, he said, "has stated that the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 16 February 2018 does not expressly stipulate that Karnataka should obtain the consent of the lower riparian States before constructing a structure across the River Cauvery".Under the 2018 Supreme Court judgment, states that are upstream of Cauvery cannot build any dams or reservoirs without the consent of the states located downstream.
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