DMK-led opposition has observed a state-wide bandh in Tamil Nadu today over the center failed to constitute a Cauvery Management Board. The DMK President M K Stalin who led the protest in Chennai and carried a black flag was detained by the police force. The DMK-led opposition parties have demanded that the Cauvery Management Board should be set up immediately.
The central government has been accused of delaying the establishment of the board despite Supreme Court orders due to the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka.
DMK’s MK Stalin had met all opposition parties in Chennai on April 1 and asked for their support in the state shutdown. He also appealed to all the sections of the society mainly farmers and traders to unite for the Cauvery row. The DMK is also planning a “Cauvery Right Retrieval Yatra” after the bandh that is to be started from the Cauvery Delta region.
Back in February, the Supreme Court had raised Karnataka’s existing share of 270 tmcft of water by 14.75 tmcft. Although the share of Tamil Nadu was reduced, it was compensated by allowing the state to extract 10 tmcft of groundwater from the river basin.
The apex court has also granted six weeks to the centre to formulate a scheme and comply with the judgment that modified that Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal Award. The deadline ended on March 29 and on March 31, the centre and Tamil Nadu government moved to the Supreme Court seeking more time to constitute the board.
The ruling party AIADMK in Tamil Nadu had also called for a hunger strike on April 3 that was joined by Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami and his Deputy O Pannerselvam. Besides, all AIADMK workers and supporters in the district headquarters had gone on strike and more than 21 Lakh shops were closed across the state.
Evidently, Tamil Nadu is not happy with the delay in the formation of the board as the Cauvery row is a crucial issue for the state. Time and again the case has taken several turns inside the court but still, a final settlement is awaited.
