Mysuru: Strongly condemning the ruling of Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, the Cauvery Kriya Samithi has demanded setting up of a separate Ministry for Cauvery water management.

Addressing a press meet at Jaladarshini Guest House recently, Samithi President S. Jayaprakash said both CWRC and CWMA are acting against the interests of Karnataka by ordering release of water to TN when the water level in Cauvery reservoirs are decreasing with each passing day due to monsoon failure.

Alleging that the two bodies have often rendered injustice to Karnataka, he claimed that the bodies were in favour of Tamil Nadu.

Advocating the need for setting up of an exclusive Ministry in Karnataka for Cauvery water management and to address river water disputes, Jayaprakash urged for forming an expert team comprising a Minister, water experts and legal experts.

He also demanded that this team should strongly present the State’s case before the Centre, CWRC and CWMA.

Noting that the order to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water  daily to Tamil Nadu sounds a death knell for Karnataka, he demanded the State Government to address water sharing dispute before going ahead with discussing Mekedatu balancing reservoir project with TN.

Kannada activists Muguru Nanjundaswamy, Suresh Gowda, Tejesh Lokesh Gowda, Bogadi Siddegowda, Somegowda, Srinivas, Dr. Shantharaj Urs and others were present at the press meet.