Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay Vows to Protect State’s Rights Over Mekedatu, Cauvery Water

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has made it clear that his government will not give up the state’s rights over the Cauvery river or the proposed Mekedatu dam project. Responding to a special attention motion raised by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Assembly, Vijay said the Cauvery issue was emotionally sensitive and stressed that his government had no intention of turning it into a political dispute. He said he had written to the Prime Minister requesting that no administrative approval be granted for the Mekedatu dam. The government also said it had approached the Cauvery Water Management Authority over Karnataka’s failure to release the stipulated quantity of water and indicated that water would be released from the Mettur reservoir depending on the situation.

The Assembly witnessed heated exchanges on several other issues as well. Discussions were held over the participation of DMK MPs in an all-party meeting on delimitation, while ministers and opposition members traded allegations over political donations and alleged links with the liquor and lottery businesses. The government also faced criticism over the implementation and budget allocation for the ‘Annanin Seer’ scheme. Opposition members raised concerns over the state’s debt burden and development expenditure. DMDK floor leader Premalatha also highlighted drinking-water arrangements inside the Assembly and sought bottled water for all members, besides suggesting biometric attendance instead of signatures in the Assembly records.