Karnataka released excess water to TN last year

There were concerns initially about the water availibility because of the monsoon delay

Karnataka had released 68 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu, more than the quantum prescribed by the Tribunal and this year too no problem might arise with regards to the Cauvery waters being released to that state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said today.

Addressing a gathering of those assembled at the Krishnarajasagar (KRS), after offering ‘Bagina’ to the Cauvery at the dam where the water level stood at its maximum of 124.80 feet, he said there was concern over the delay in onset of the monsoon as rains had failed till July 10. Subsequent rains had increased the water level in the KRS from 82 feet to 124 feet, bringing cheer all around.

“Problem between our state and Tamil Nadu arises if the KRS fails to reach the maximum level. Otherwise, there will no problem. I hope there will not be any problem this time too on release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu,” he said.

“The eight left bank canals of the KRS irrigate 200,000 acres and the right bank 8,000 acres for semi-dry crops. If KRS fills up, farmers will be happy,” the CM said adding that the state government had provided Rs 1,800 crore for modernisation of the Cauvery canals, whereas it was only Rs 900 crore earlier. Rs 400 crore was allocated for Mandya district alone. No previous government had earmarked so much money.

Siddaramaiah said, his government had given the highest priority to irrigation.

Including modernisation of canals of the KRS, Hemavathi, Kabini and Harangi. It had made the highest allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for works relating to major and medium irrigation projects and Rs 1,300 crore, a total of Rs 11,300 crore this year, which no other state government had allocated.

“It is our intention to spend Rs 10,000 crore each year and over Rs 50,000 crore in five years for the irrigation sector alone. The budget allocation next year will be higher than this year’s allocation. Our government has given the highest priority to irrigation in the interest of farmers,” he said.

It was not only the Cauvery basin, he added, the government intends to complete irrigation works of Krishna, Tungabhadra, Godavari basin areas.

Highlighting the budget allocations to protect sugarcane growers, the CM said, the government had cancelled the tax of Rs 100, was offering a subsidy of Rs 150 and fixed the rate per metric tonne of sugarcane at Rs 2,500. For the first time, Rs 2,000 crore had been set apart for offering subsidy for all crops that the farmers grow in the state. It had also formed Agricultural Price Commission.

Taking to task those who criticised ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme of his government, Siddaramaiah said, over 300,000 tonnes of foodgrains, including ragi and jowar, was required for distribution to 13 million cardholders, for which Rs 2,000 per tonne was being offered. This was acting as support price to them, encouraging cultivation of foodgrains. Hence, they should grow more by adopting modern technology and economising the usage of water.

Earlier Irrigation Minister M B Patil revealed that a scheme was being readied to encourage sugarcane growers of 126,000 hectares to take to drip irrigation, which would save 25 per cent of water, amounting to 40.50 tmcft and more electricity and increased yield.