Cauvery water sharing formula is unscientific, says panel chief

Madikeri: Cauvery River water-sharing formula is unscientific, said HK Ramu, president of Cauvery River Protection Committee, adding that preparations are being made to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court after collecting the actual data of the river water.Speaking to reporters at Kushalnagar, he said that a committee of experts visited Kodagu district for two days and collected comprehensive information. He also said that the situation in Mysuru and Mandya parts was examined and an application will be submitted to the court soon along with the statistics.Somanatheshwara Swami, head of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt's Mysuru branch, who was part of the delegation that visited the district, said that the Cauvery River Protection Committee will visit the places where the Cauvery River flows in the state and review the current situation and provide comprehensive information to the Supreme Court. He said that an attempt will be made to find a permanent solution to the problems of the farmers by observing the condition of the farmers in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka.Nischalanandanath Swami, head of Vishwa Vokkaligara Maha Sansthan, who was part of the team, said that under the guidance of Nirmalanandanatha Swami, head of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, the committee, comprising senior retired officers, experts and leaders of organisations, will tour the Cauvery river basin areas and submit a report to Karnataka govt. He said a writ petition will then be filed in the SC. He said that the Cauvery water dispute in the state has also caused a stir for drinking water. The Mekedatu project should be implemented immediately, and the Union govt, including the Tamil Nadu govt, should give its consent to the project. The earlier decisions in the Cauvery dispute cannot be accepted. This has caused water shortages for the state and the farmers of the state, he said.Bettadapura Kannada Mutt seer Channabasava Swami wished success for the committee's struggle.Senior litterateur Pradhan Gurudutt spoke and honoured the state coordinator of the Cauvery River Cleanliness Movement, MN Chandramohan, in Kushalnagar.