K'taka awaiting TN's response

With Tamil Nadu showing no signs of stopping work on the controversial drinking water project at the disputed Hogenakal Falls, Karnataka has sought an explanation from the neighbouring state.

The state chief secretary Sudhakar Rao has written to his Tamil Nadu counterpart on the issue. "We have indicated that Tamil Nadu cannot take up the project since the area comes under the state's purview. We are awaiting their response," Rao told reporters on Wednesday.

In an earlier letter, the Tamil Nadu chief secretary had defended the work on the water project. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had launched the water project (Rs 1,300 crore) to supply drinking water to the dry districts of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri from Hogenakal Falls.

However, Karnataka sought to remind Tamil Nadu that both states concluded Hogenakal as 'disputed area' and would resolve it through joint survey.

Besides, both states have been instructed to restrain from implementing any irrigation project in the Cauvery basin since the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal is pending before the Supreme Court.

"We are also exploring legal options to stop work on the project," Rao pointed out.

Meanwhile, the state police have beefed up security in areas bordering Tamil Nadu to avoid any untoward incident. Several pro-Kannada organisations have called for a general state wide strike in the second week of April to protest against Tamil Nadu.