Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's contention that the Centre was a "mute spectator" in water disputes the state has with its neighbours.
Addressing a press conference here, Singh said there are established rules which will be followed while examining these issues.
He said it was wrong to say that the Centre was merely a "by-stander" in resolving the water disputes between states.
"I do agree that water is going to be a major issue in the years to come. But it is not correct to say that the Central government is a mere by-stander (in resolving the issues)," Singh said.
He was asked to comment on the contention of Karunanidhi, whose DMK is a crucial ally of the UPA, in New Delhi earlier this month that the Centre was a "mere spectator" in resolving the disputes Tamil Nadu has with its neighbours -- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.
"I think that there are certain laws and established rules and laws of the land have to be implemented and there are tribunals which have been appointed to go into the disputes between states on utilisation of water," the Prime Minister said.
Calling Tamil Nadu a "water-scarcity" state, Karunanidhi had on May 2 said the Centre should "wake up" and uphold its responsibility by resolving the water disputes the state has with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Karunanidhi had also said the Centre should not remain a mute spectator and should take pro-active steps to resolve the disputes.
The Prime Minister said every possible effort will be made to resolve water disputes between different states.
"Within the four corners of the law, every possible effort is being made and will be made to find an amicable solution to these (water disputes)," Singh said.
Tamil Nadu has water disputes with all the three states with whom it shares its border. While it is the Cauvery and Hogenakkal disputes with Karnataka, there are problems between the state and Andhra Pradesh over sharing of Krishna water and dam over Palar river.
Tamil Nadu has had a running battle with Kerala over the Mullaperiyar dam issue. Tamil Nadu has been appealing to the Centre to intervene and solve the problems between the state and its neighbours.
The Centre had convened a number of meetings between the Chief Ministers of all the southern states on sharing of waters, but none of them have yielded any results.