From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 23: Karnataka has held that the guidelines drawn by the Centre in formulating Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) is not acceptable to it and they need to be corrected.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who spoke to reporters after holding pre-budget consultations with officials in Bengaluru on Saturday ahead of the State’s budget presentation on July 5, said the Centre issued a gazette notification on formation of the authority and committee and has done its work in accordance with the Supreme Court directions.

However, Kumaraswamy said Karnataka was not against formation of the Cauvery Management Board.

But, he said the State government was opposing certain provisions in the scheme envisaged.

He had discussed the issue during his recent meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent meeting in Delhi.

"We will take up the issue again with the Centre," he said.

The Chief Minister said he would again meet the Union Minister for Water Resources and write a detailed letter to the Centre expressing State's reservation over what he termed as unilateral decision to issue notification.

He said he would convene a meeting of legal experts to explore legal options before the State to sail over the situation.

Kumaraswamy had also discussed the issue with the Advocate General. It is clear that formation of the scheme is detrimental to interest of Karnataka.

It is significant that Kumaraswamy had earlier termed some of provisions such as the Board inspecting reservoirs in the State and deciding the quantum of water to be released and the board deciding pattern of the crop to be cultivated in Cauvery basin as "unscientific".

The Chief Minister had urged the Centre to have a re-look in to the provisions, which are against the interest of the State before issuing notification.

"Earlier we had clarified that, Karnataka is not against Centre following the directions of the Supreme Court. Despite people facing various problems, Karnataka has not violated the law. Our gesture should not be treated as weakness," he cautioned.

Describing the move as unilateral decision of the Centre, Karnataka’s Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar said the Centre issued notification coming under pressure from the neighbouring State.

A detailed discussion was needed in the Parliamentary session, before notification.

"There is no question of compromising with the State's interest and all necessary steps, including exploring legal options will be taken," Shivakumar said.