~I welcome you all to the 6th meeting of the Cauvery River Authority.

Two previous attempts at convening the Authority’s meeting could not succeed due to a lack of quorum. In the last meeting held on September 08, 2002, it was decided that Karnataka should release waters from its four reservoirs so as to ensure 9,000 cusecs of water in Mettur, accounted on weekly basis during the ensuing months of September and October. Although Karnataka had made certain releases in pursuance to this decision, it could not fully comply with it.

We decided to meet on January 13 this year. However, this meeting could not be convened due to absence of the required quorum. Subsequently, I discussed the issue separately with the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. During these informal discussions, the Chief Minister of Karnataka assured that his State would release water so as to ensure the rate of 1,200 cusecs at Mettur for the months of January and February.

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, however, requested that concentrated releases should be made at the earliest to help the State in meeting the irrigation demand. I am informed that Karnataka made certain releases, which has resulted in enhanced inflows into Mettur reservoir from January 20 to 28, 2003.

Our country has had to face a serious situation of drought this year. In the Cauvery basin, too, rainfall has been deficient. Therefore, we should take an appropriate decision keeping in view the interests of the farmers of both the States. While the crops in Karnataka have matured in December, Tamil Nadu would have a critical requirement during the remaining period of February. The farmers’ interest will have to be safeguarded by ensuring successful maturity of the Samba crop in the State.

Realising the criticality of the situation, the Supreme Court on February 6, 2003 has also directed that the matter be decided by CRA. In the mean time, Karnataka was required to release sufficient water from its reservoirs so as to ensure an average inflow of 4,500 cusecs of water per day at Mettur amounting to about 0.4 TMC per day.

I hope that we address this difficult situation in the spirit of mutual cooperation and come out with a practical and workable solution acceptable to the basin States.

I now call upon the Chief Ministers to make their opening remarks~.