Cauvery River Authority to meet this month to discuss water issue demand by Karnataka

NEW DELHI: The Cauvery River Authority has decide to meet later this month this time to discuss Tamil Nadu's demand for immediate release of water by Karnataka in order to save the State's standing rice crops.

The decision to convoke the meeting of the CRA headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh either on September 19 or 20 comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court's pulled up PMO officials on the issue.

Water Resources Minister PK Bansal said the government was in touch with Chief Ministers of the member-states of the CRA and everyone's presence is expected at the meeting.

“We are in touch with all the Chief Ministers and everybody would be there (at the meeting). In all likelihood, it will be 19th or 20th of this month,” Bansal said while responding to questions about the Supreme Court's strong remarks against PMO officials for not convening the meeting.

Over two decades, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been at loggerheads to share the water of the Cauvery river. Both States are now fighting their battle in the Supreme Court.