New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 10 asked both Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu to find a solution to Cauvery water sharing issue in a "spirit of
mutual co-operation" and come out with a practical and workable solution acceptable
to the basin state.
"Our country has had to face a serious situation of drought this year. In the Cauvery
basin, too, rainfall has been deficient," Vajpayee said chairing the Cauvery River
Authority (CRA) meeting being attended by Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,
Kerala and Pondicherry.
"Therefore, we should take an appropriate decision keeping in view the interest of
the farmers of both the states," he said.
Vajpayee said while the crops in Karnataka have matured in December 2002, Tamil Nadu
would have a critical requirement during the remaining period of February.
"The farmers' interests will have to be safeguarded by ensuring the successful
maturity of the samba crops in the state," he said.
PTI
