Karnataka rejects CWRC directive to release 4,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Bengaluru: Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy has said the state cannot accept the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) directive to release 4,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu, citing inadequate reservoir storage and deficient rainfall in the Cauvery basin.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has upheld the CWRC’s recommendation despite Karnataka presenting data on water availability, inflows and rainfall conditions, the minister said.

Karnataka had sought a reduction in the prescribed release from 4,000 cusecs to 3,000 cusecs, citing the prevailing conditions at the KRS, Kabini, Hemavathi and Harangi reservoirs.

According to the state government, releasing 4,000 cusecs continuously for 15 days would result in around 5.18 TMC of water flowing to Tamil Nadu.

Chaluvarayaswamy said Karnataka’s immediate priority was to safeguard drinking water requirements in towns and villages dependent on the Cauvery basin, including Bengaluru. Releasing additional water when reservoir levels and inflows remain low could create drinking water concerns during the summer, he said.

The minister said the government would consult its legal experts and decide on the next course of action. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has also indicated that Karnataka plans to challenge the CWRC directive through legal channels.

Karnataka officials told the authority that rainfall deficiency and low inflows had made the situation critical, leaving limited scope for significant replenishment of the four major reservoirs in the immediate future. The state has maintained that adequate water needs to be retained for drinking water and other essential requirements.

Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, has maintained that it is yet to receive its pro-rata share of Cauvery water. At the CWRC meeting, the state reportedly cited a deficit of around 14.981 TMC at Biligundlu compared with its pro-rata entitlement.

The latest directive has once again brought the long-running Cauvery water-sharing issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu into focus. While Karnataka has stressed drinking water requirements and the prevailing rainfall and reservoir conditions, Tamil Nadu has sought its stipulated share of water.

The Karnataka government is now examining its legal options against the directive.

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Gujarat: HM Amit Shah to inaugurate India’s first CBDC-based public distribution system on Feb 15

Gandhinagar, Feb 13 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) on Sunday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, government officials said on Friday.

The initiative, undertaken by the Gujarat Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, introduces subsidy transfers through the Reserve Bank of India-authorised CBDC platform.

The system has been developed by the Punjab National Bank and will provide beneficiaries with digital tokens in their wallets containing details of the commodity, quantity and price.

Under the pilot phase, 26,333 families in the Sabarmati zone of Ahmedabad, as well as in Surat, Anand and Valsad, have been covered.

Beneficiaries using smartphones will authenticate transactions through QR codes, while those with feature phones will receive one-time passwords under an Aadhaar-based verification system.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will attend the launch.

In addition to the CBDC-based system, the state government will introduce distribution of tur and chana in standardised one kg sealed packs for National Food Security Act beneficiaries, replacing loose distribution to maintain quality standards.

An ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’ will also be launched in the Sabarmati zone of Ahmedabad.

Designed to function round the clock, the machine can dispense up to 25 kg of grain within 35 seconds.

The state will also sign memoranda of understanding with Care Rating and the Consumer Education and Research Centre to introduce a Consumer Responsibility Index for rating companies.

A conciliation and pre-litigation mechanism aimed at facilitating faster, out-of-court settlement of consumer disputes will be established.

Separately, under the ‘Garima Poshan – Suposhit Garudeshwar Taluka’ campaign, Rs 1.65 crore from the CSR funds of Gujarat State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited will be allocated to efforts to address malnutrition in Garudeshwar taluka of Narmada district.

The project includes the establishment of two model anganwadis and targeted health interventions for adolescent girls and pregnant women.

–IANS

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Mumbai Constables arrested for kidnapping and looting $10,000 from man; three accused still absconding

Mumbai, March 28 (IANS) Two Mumbai Police Constables have been arrested on charges of kidnapping and robbery executed in ‘filmy’ style from Juhu to Dahisar, Mumbai Police said on Saturday. The accused allegedly looted $10,000 from a delivery executive, while three other accomplices remain at large.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns about the image of the Mumbai Police. In the Juhu area, two Constables, acting in collusion with their associates, allegedly kidnapped a delivery executive working for a forex company and robbed him of foreign currency. In connection with this sensational case, the Juhu Police have arrested the two policemen, while the remaining three accused are still absconding. The looted amount has not yet been recovered.

According to the police, the arrested accused have been identified as Sandeep Shinde (33) and Gajendra Rajput (40), who were posted at the Bandra-Kurla Complex and Jogeshwari police stations, respectively. Both allegedly misused their uniforms and official positions to carry out the crime.

Police officials stated that the incident took place on March 25 at around 2:00 PM. The victim, a delivery executive employed with a Bandra-based forex company, had arrived in Juhu to deliver foreign currency. Near Juhu Circle, the accused forcibly abducted him and pushed him into an Ertiga car.

It is alleged that inside the vehicle, the victim was physically assaulted and threatened with being falsely implicated in a criminal case. The accused then drove him to Dahisar, where they snatched a bag containing $10,000 and continued to assault him. However, showing remarkable courage, the victim raised an alarm, which attracted the attention of passersby who alerted a police patrolling team that reached the spot.

Realising they were cornered, the accused attempted to flee. Sandeep Shinde was apprehended on the spot, while the others managed to escape.

Later, Gajendra Rajput was arrested from his residence in Thane. Cases have been registered against both accused under charges of kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and impersonating public servants.

Police are currently examining CCTV footage, and multiple teams have been deployed to trace the remaining accused. The incident has once again raised a critical question: How can the safety of ordinary citizens be ensured when the very guardians of the law are involved in criminal activities?

–IANS

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Uttarakhand: Chamoli farmers reap benefits of PM-KISAN scheme, thank central govt

Chamoli (Uttarakhand), June 7 (IANS) Farmers in Uttarakhand’s district of Chamoli are witnessing tangible economic improvements, thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a flagship initiative of the Central Government that provides direct financial support to small and marginal farmers.

Under this ambitious scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal installments of Rs 2,000, directly credited to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). To date, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released 19 installments under the scheme, and Chamoli has not remained untouched by its impact. According to official data, 48,664 farmers in the district are actively benefiting from PM-KISAN.

The scheme has not only eased the financial burden of farmers but has also contributed significantly to agricultural productivity and self-reliance.

IANS visited Chamoli and spoke with several beneficiaries to understand how this initiative has impacted their lives.

Hori Lal, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude for the assistance: “I am getting money under this scheme. I want to thank the central government. It has really helped us.”

Harish Lal, another farmer, said, “This money helps us buy seeds and pesticides. I want to thank PM Modi for bringing such a scheme to life.”

Pradeep Kumar echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I am receiving the money in regular instalments. It’s a big help for farmers like us. Thank you to the Prime Minister.”

PM-KISAN, launched in 2019, is designed to supplement farmers’ incomes. It aims to ensure dignified livelihoods, reduce dependence on informal credit, and boost agricultural efficiency. The transparency and reliability of DBT ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries on time, without middlemen or delays.

The latest, 19th instalment was released in February 2025 and benefited more than 9.8 crore farmers across the country, including 2.4 crore women. Earlier, instalments were disbursed in October 2024 and June 2024.

With the 20th instalment expected in June 2025, anticipation is building among farmers as the scheme continues to support their efforts on the ground. Though the official release date and location are yet to be announced, it is expected that Prime Minister Modi will again preside over the disbursement ceremony.

–IANS

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