Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday moved a resolution in the State Legislative Assembly strongly opposing Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery River. He urged all members of the House to support the resolution unanimously, stressing the importance of protecting Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery water.

The resolution received support from the Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). Tamil Nadu Assembly Congress leader Rakesh Kumar and VCK leader and Minister Vanniarasu backed the move and emphasised the need for a united stand on the long-standing inter-state river water dispute.

While introducing the resolution, the Chief Minister said the proposed dam would violate existing legal provisions and negatively affect Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water. He maintained that Karnataka’s plan could not move forward without following the legal framework already established through tribunal awards and court judgments.

According to the resolution, "This August House records its strong objection to the unilateral attempt of the Government of Karnataka to construct a dam across the Cauvery River at Mekedatu, without respecting the Final Award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal dated 5.2.2007 and the Judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 16.2.2018, without obtaining the concurrence of the concerned basin States, and without securing any approval from the Union Government. Such an action is not at all acceptable.''

The resolution also called upon the Union Government to reject any approvals required for the project. The Tamil Nadu government argued that the proposed dam should not receive technical, environmental, or any other form of clearance from the Centre.

''This August House urges the Union Government not to grant any form of approval, including technical and environmental clearances, to the Mekedatu Dam Project proposed by the Government of Karnataka,'' the resolution states.

The Assembly further highlighted concerns regarding water availability in the Cauvery basin. It referred to observations made by both the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court, which have previously described the Cauvery basin as a water-deficit basin. The resolution stated that the available water in the basin has already been allocated among the basin states and that no additional project should alter this arrangement.

''The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Hon'ble Supreme Court have observed that the Cauvery Basin is a deficit basin and that the total available water in the basin has already been apportioned among the basin States. Therefore, no new project can be undertaken in the Cauvery Basin, nor can any additional quantity of water be utilised.''

The resolution came shortly after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that his government was ready to hold discussions with Tamil Nadu regarding the Mekedatu project. Despite this, Tamil Nadu reiterated its firm opposition and maintained that the project cannot proceed without the consent of all basin states and necessary approvals from the Union Government.

Describing the Cauvery dispute as a highly sensitive issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to ensure that all legal and procedural requirements are strictly followed. The resolution stressed that no new dam or water storage project should be taken up in the Cauvery basin without agreement from the concerned states.

''The Cauvery issue is a highly sensitive matter between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Therefore, this August House urges the Union Government to advise the Government of Karnataka not to undertake the construction of a dam or any new water storage project at Mekedatu or at any other location in the Cauvery Basin without the concurrence of the other basin States and without the approval of the Union Government,'' the resolution reads.

Tamil Nadu also sought intervention from the Central Water Commission (CWC). The Assembly urged the commission not to examine, process, or approve the Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by Karnataka for the Mekedatu dam project. The state government argued that allowing the DPR to move forward could pave the way for a project that Tamil Nadu strongly opposes.

''This August House further urges the Central Water Commission not to examine, process, or grant approval to the Detailed Project Report submitted by the Government of Karnataka. This August House unanimously expresses its support for all measures undertaken by the Government of Tamil Nadu to prevent this attempt by the Government of Karnataka so as to safeguard the interests of the farmers of Tamil Nadu," the resolution read.

With support from major parties in the Assembly, the resolution reflected a united political stand in Tamil Nadu against the Mekedatu dam proposal. The state government maintained that protecting its share of Cauvery water remains a priority and called on the Centre and relevant authorities to ensure that no approval is granted to the project.