Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

All party delegation of Tamil Nadu MPs calls on PM

An All-Party delegation of Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu called on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to apprise him of the condition of the farmers in the Cauvery basin and urged him to intervene in the matter to impress upon Government of Karnataka the need to take suitable action to relieve the distress of the farmers.

The Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to all the views expressed and took careful note of all the issues raised. He expressed his sympathy with the situation of farmers and his understanding of the distress they have been passing through in the last few years. The major factor behind the distress is the poor rainfall in the area in the last few years leading to a consequent reduction in flows in the river Cauvery. While sympathizing with the condition of the farmers and farm labour, the Prime Minister said:-

"It is essential that we reach a suitable settlement acceptable to all. It is necessary that distress is shared equitably so that no specific region suffers excessively. The rain god has been kind this year and owing to an early monsoon and heavier than expected rainfall, it is likely that we may not face a situation of distress this year. I am discussing the matter on priority with the concerned Governments including Karnataka."

Prime Minister said that he will listen to all points of view in the Cauvery basin both in Karnataka and in Tamil Nadu so that a fair solution acceptable to all, may be evolved.