Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari on Monday was non-committal on a possible time frame for the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), as mandated by the Supreme Court, said a report on The Hindu.
Stating that the panel was “in the process now,” the Minister said, “We are very sensitive and very cautious about water problem in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and even in Karnataka.”
“It is a very difficult task and it is not a very easy question……..it is a big task. I do not want to give any assurance for that,” – Gadkari
As reported by the Hindu, Mr. Gadkari refused to be drawn into specifics when asked if the Centre had a time frame for establishing the CMB while interacting with the reporters.
“We respect the decision of the Supreme Court. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, they are like two eyes for us. And water is a crucial problem,” the MInister said, adding, “I am a farmer and I know what the problem of the drinking water and irrigation in my area Vidarbha (where over 10,000 farmer suicides happened). So, I am very keenly interested. (I) Will find out some way out.”
However, Mr. Gadkari indicated that the process may not be easy. “It is a very difficult task and it is not a very easy question. But, my track record is whatever I have taken in the hands, I have completed the project. But, it is a big task. I do not want to give any assurance for that,” he said.
Gadkari refused to be drawn into specifics when asked if the Centre had a time frame for establishing the Cauvery Management Board, as mandated by the Supreme Court. https://t.co/jyo4vt9V2E
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) February 27, 2018
Big news tucked away in the inside pages of The Hindu. Water minister @nitin_gadkari says Cauvery Board not likely soon! https://t.co/Zf3YeCOuis "Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, they are like two eyes for us."
— Mathang Seshagiri (@mathangcito) February 27, 2018
Again the Union minister @nitin_gadkari is misleading our state. He has said that they will divert 3000TMc feet of water from Godavari to TN when he was asked about cauvery management board. Pl @mafoikprajan dont fall into this trap. WE need CMB not Godavri which is not our right
— G.sundarrajan (@SundarrajanG) February 26, 2018
Not when it is election season. Mahadayi takes precedence over Kaveri!
— sampath kumar (@sampath_ks) February 27, 2018
Compiled by Susmitha Suresh
Inputs: The Hindu