Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released Neerin Hejje’s book authored by Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo credit: special arrangement
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed disappointment that the Center did not give the necessary approvals to the Krishna, Mahadaya and other irrigation projects despite court orders in favor of Karnataka, stalling them.
Launching his book Neera Hejje, which focuses on various aspects of water resources in Karnataka and related issues, he said, “Centre has not issued a gazette notification on sharing of Krishna waters. Maharashtra, which agreed with the judgment, is opposing it today. Mahadayi project is facing objections from the forest department despite Supreme Court permission.”
Mr. Shivakumar said five out of 10 inter-state river water disputes were related to Karnataka, adding that despite meeting the Union Water Resources Minister five times, there was no help. Karnataka plans to set up a separate water commission in the state to study drinking water and irrigation projects, he added.
He added that BJP MPs from Karnataka failed to raise the issue in Parliament.
More CRMA events
Speaking in a similar vein on the occasion, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accused partners NDA, BJP and JD(S) of not providing water or financial matters related to Karnataka to the Centre. He further said that Karnataka is not sure what the Cauvery River Management Authority (CRMA) will do next regarding the clearance for the Mekedatu buffer tank.
“The Mekedatu project can be implemented only after clearance. Tamil Nadu opposes the project on political grounds and not on facts. In fact, during the years of rainfall deficit, it is Tamil Nadu that benefits from the project,” the chief minister said.
“After the Supreme Court dismissed the petition against the project, we are not sure what the CRMA will do. In all the inter-state water disputes, Karnataka has not been entirely successful,” he added.
Large tracts of dry land
Emphasizing the importance of completing irrigation projects, he said that Karnataka has the second largest area of dry land after Rajasthan. “While the total yield of water from rivers in Karnataka is about 3,440 tmcft, the allocated share for use is 1,272 tmcft. We have to use our allocated share. But when we try to use it, there are disputes.”
BJP and JD(S), he said, do not speak for Karnataka at all. “What has BJP done that is blaming us? BJP MPs are not raising water issues in Parliament. JD(S), which is talking about rivers, has also not raised issues related to river and finance. People need to know this.”
He further said, “Who has to give forests and environment for Mahadayi? You (BJP) are asking us to talk to the Chief Ministers of Goa and Tamil Nadu. Did Union Minister Pralhad Joshi ever talk to the Water Resources Minister? Did he talk about resolving the dispute?”
Published – 14 Nov 2025 23:33 IST
