TIRUCHY: Congress-led Karnataka government’s plans to implement the Mekedatu project, which aims to create a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River, and its Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s “appeal” to Tamil Nadu to “be generous” has evoked a strong response from Chief Minister MK Stalin: Won’t budge. Will fight it legally.

“The State government will approach the issue legally and fight as did by late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Our stand was always clear. It’s against the dam’s construction,” said CM Stalin here on Friday.

CM Stalin’s remarks came days after DK Shivakumar, also an MLA from Kanakapura, raised a pitch for the contentious Mekedatu balancing reservoir near Kanakapura stating that the Karnataka government will have to make preparations for the project.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the delta region and inspecting the ongoing desilt works, CM Stalin said: “It’s not just the new Congress government. Even earlier governments in Karnataka said they would build the Mekedatu reservoir.”

“The Centre also planned to file an auction for the coal mines at Sethiyathoppu, Michaelpatti and Vadasery, but the DMK government strongly opposed it and sent a representation to the Union government, forcing them to withdraw the plan of coal mines,” Stalin pointed out.

Stating that the government has been prioritising desilting of the water bodies to ensure water for irrigation to the farmers till the tailend region, the CM said the funds for the same have also been increased year by year. “While Rs 62.91 crore was allotted in 2021-22 it was increased to Rs 80 crore in 202223 and this year, a fund of Rs 90 crore has been allocated. These increased funds ensured proper irrigation that resulted in a bumper harvest and thus the State could produce 39.73MT paddy in 2021-22 while in 2022-23, 41.45 MT paddy was produced in the State,” he said.

The CM said the desilt works are getting over and water release from Mettur will be on the customary June 12 this year also, ensuring increase in acreage.