The notification of the Cauvery Water Management Authority by the Union Ministry of Water Resources and River Development has evoked mixed response in Mandya district.
While G. Made Gowda, president of the Mandya Zilla Raitha Hitharakshna Samiti, welcomed the notification, the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has condemned it.
Mr. Gowda, former MP, told reporters here on Saturday that the authority may provide justice to farmers in the Cauvery basin as it would take decisions only after considering the storage in the reservoirs in the basin in Karnataka and the requirement for domestic consumption and saving standing crops.
However, KRRS leaders and irrigation experts raised concern over the setting up of authority. The KRRS said it would “sound the death knell for farmers in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka”. Shambhunahalli Suresh, KRRS district president, said the samiti, formed to spearhead the Cauvery agitations, should fight for farmers.
According to another KRRS leader, the sangha would urge Mr. Gowda to vacate his position, considering his age and his alleged inability to lead the movement and failure to analyse the pros and cons of such notifications or orders.