Lok Sabha Question No. 2957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-05
Subject: Dam at Mekedatu
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## 2957. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the steps taken by the Government to stop Karnataka from constructing a dam at Mekedatu;

(b) whether the Government has any plan to direct Karnataka to remove the check dam const Thenpennai river; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## ( SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL )

(a)The Feasibility Report (FR) of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was submi to Central Water Commission (CWC) by Government of Karnataka for according "in - principle" clearance for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the project. The Screening Committee of C entral Water Commission in its meeting held on 24.10.2018 accorded 'in -principle' clearance for preparation of DPR by project  authority  (Government  of  Karnataka)  subject  to  certain  conditions  including  that:  ' As  the  main objective of this scheme as stated in the FR is to implement the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal(C Award  as  modified  by  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court,  acceptance  of  Cauvery  Water  Management  A (CWMA) would be a pre - requisite for consideration of the DPR by the Advisory Committee of Mo WR, RD & GR'.

Subsequently, DPR of Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir cum Drinking Water Project was su to CWC by Government of Karnataka in January 2019 and copies of DPR were forwarded to Cauver Management Authority (CWMA). Discussion on the DP R of the above project was included as an ag item  during  various  meetings  of  CWMA,  however,  as  per  the  minutes  of  various  meetings  o discussion on the same could not be held due to lack of consensus from party States on this a

(b) &(c) The Government of Tamil Nadu submitted a complaint dated 30.11.2019 under Section State River Water Dispute Act, 1956 requesting Union Government to constitute a Tribunal und of the Inter - State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 for adjudication of water disputes of the Inter - state River Pennaiyar also known as Thenpennai. In their complaint, Tamil Nadu has also objected to constr dam by Karnataka across Markandeya river, a tributary of Pennaiyar river. Subsequent to th omplaint of Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  dated  30.11.2019,  a  Negotiation  Committee  under  the  Chairman Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC) was constituted on 20.1.2020 under Section 4 of th Act, 1956. Two meetings of the negotiation committee were h ld. The Negotiation Committee was of t considered view that any further negotiations by this Committee would not be useful and as s meeting of the Committee was proposed. To proceed further on the issue, CWC vide letters dated 16. 03.2021 and 08.07.2021 requested party States i.e. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and UT of P furnish some additional information. The concerned States /UT are required to respond in the ma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2957 ANSWERED ON 05.08 .2021

## DAM AT MEKEDATU