Cauvery row: Jaya meets PM, asks him to step in

‘‘It is our duty to see that justice is done to all farmers. Farmers’ interests are dearest to me. The government will do all that is possible to relieve their distress and ensure their needs are met,’’ a press release quoted Singh as saying.

Singh also told Jayalalithaa that he had spoken to Karnataka CM Dharam Singh last night, after a meeting with DMK ministers.

Speaking at a press conference in the Capital, Jayalalithaa said that with Karnataka having had a normal monsoon this year, its reservoirs were in a comfortable position. She said that as of July 25, Karnataka should have released 45.8 tmc of water. As against this, the amount actually received at Mettur dam was 21.48 tmc.

Referring to the Karnataka’s post-monsoon water surplus, she remarked, ‘‘Overflow is not release. We are only getting overflow.’’

Accusing Karnataka of not adhering to the tribunal’s interim order ‘‘even once since 1991’’, Jayalalithaa demanded that water be ‘‘released from Krishna Raja Sagar and Kabini at once, to make up the 24.32 tmc water deficit and to ensure justice to Tamil Nadu’s delta district farmers and agricultural labourers’’.

Displeased with the Centre’s decision to send a team to both states, Jayalalithaa said, ‘‘We have the facts and figures. The Water Resources Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi also stated that my facts and figures are correct. I do not see what purpose will be served by sending a team again.’’

However, she did urge the Prime Minister to convene a Cauvery River Authority meeting to ensure that Karnataka complied with the interim order’s directions.