Jaya sets terms for CRA meeting

Tamil Nadu wants all of Karnataka’s pleadings and representations to be placed in writing with all enclosures, details and data so that it can prepare objections, if any, she said. She also demanded that a copy of any rejoinder filed by Karnataka should reach Tamil Nadu and the state should get three days to reply.

She suggested that the CRA meeting be held one week after all these conditions are fulfilled. The minutes of the CRA meeting should be distributed to the states within 48 hours. Tamil Nadu, she said, was making these demands because the CRA had not framed specific rules or regulations in respect of meetings. Alleging that the word ‘‘consensus’’ used by Union Water Resources Minister Arjun Sethi had never taken place in the last meeting as far as Tamil Nadu was concerned, Jayalalithaa said the minister should meet the press only in the presence of a representative from the state.

Jayalalithaa alleged that Vajpayee was treating Tamil Nadu with bias. ‘‘It is only because of the tilt the CRA has towards Karnataka that has emboldened that state so.’’