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