TN farmers welcome, political leaders oppose Cauvery verdict

Cheni, Feb 16: It was a mixed reaction in Tamil du over the Supreme Court’s judgment on the sharing of the Cauvery river water with the farming community looking forward to its implementation while the political parties said the state has been cheated. “In a way, this is a historical judgment where the apex court has said no state can claim ownership over a river. The central government should now tiolise the rivers,” P.R. Pandian, a farmer leader told IANS on Friday. He said though the reduction in Tamil du’s share of water would impact the farmlands in the state’s Cauvery delta region, the central government should take steps to implement the judgment and see that Tamil du gets its share of water. “Higher allocation of water can be sought from the Cauvery River Water Magement Board once it is set up. The central government should set up the board soon,” Pandian said.

“We welcome the judgment. The government should set up the Cauvery River Water Magement Board. The reduction in Tamil du’s water share can be maged,” S. Rangathan, Secretary, Tamil du Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, told IANS. He had filed the case in the apex court first. “When I filed the case I was 45 years old and now, I am 82,” he added. (IANS)