Bengaluru: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said that he will soon hold consultative meetings with Legal, Irrigation and Engineering experts to assess the advantages and disadvantages of Cauvery Management Authority (CMA) newly constituted by the Centre.

Speaking to press persons here yesterday, the CM, referring the gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Water Resources on the constitution of the CMA on Friday, said that suitable measures would be taken to safeguard the interest of the State.

Kumaraswamy further said that he will soon start preparations for the new budget to be presented by the coalition Government.

Pointing out that the budget preparation work would begin in a couple of days, he however clarified that the coalition Government would not junk the welfare schemes initiated by the previous Congress regime.

Former Chief Minister Siddharamaiah who headed the Congress Government had presented a budget with a total outlay of Rs. 2.10 lakh crore in February this year.