Pondy CM urges Karnataka govt to release Cauvery water

Mangalore Today News Network

Puducherry, Sep 24, 2016: Terming as ’adamant’ the stand of Karnataka government not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and Union Territory of Puducherry, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said defiance of the Supreme court verdict would only lead to confrontation between the Judiciary and Legislature.

Addressing reporters here after returning from New Delhi, he said, "The resolution adopted by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly refusing to release Cauvery water is an adamant stand and cannot be accepted as ryots in Puducherry and Tamilnadu needed water for samba cultivation."

"The ryots in Karaikal region badly needed Cauvery water for the samba paddy crop.
If the water is not available the farmers would face a situation of distress," Narayanasamy said adding Karnataka government should honour the directive of the Apex court.

He said any defiance of the court verdict would only lead to confrontation between the Judiciary and Legislature.

He further urged his Karnataka counterpart to ensure that the Tamils in that state were protected.

Talking about the GST council meeting, the CM said, "The Centre has accepted the plea of Puducherry administration to compensate it for the fiscal loss the Union Territory would suffer in the wake of implementation of the Goods and Services tax."

He said he had made out a strong case at the meeting held on September 22 and 23 that Puducherry should be compensated for the loss of Rs 60 crores annually expected to emerge after the GST is implemented.

"Rs 20 lakh annual turnover threshold for GST exemption would entail a loss of revenue of Rs 60 crores every year to the exchequer here and the Council had accepted to compensate the loss," he said.

Noting that Puducherry had been included as a member of the GST council, he said this showed that the Union Territory had gained recognition on a par with bigger states.

The Puducherry Assembly had ratified the GST Bill through a resolution in the recent budget session, he added.