By adopting a unanimous resolution against Karnataka's plan of constructing a dam across the Cauvery river, the Tamil Nadu government has on Monday- March 31 reiterated its stand to voice against the project in the midst of stubbornness observed by the neighbouring state in implementing it. Drawing statewide attention, the Tamil Nadu ruling DMK government has passed the resolution in the state assembly with the support of every legislator. 

The Tamil Nadu BJP MLAs have also voted in favour of the resolution that urges the BJP-ruling Karnataka to annul the Mekedatu Dam project and demands the Centre's intervention. The unanimous resolution has sparked a fresh round of uproar between the two states. According to reports, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan has moved the resolution in the assembly against the Karnataka government for its Mekedatu project and for allotting money for the dam construction. 

In the resolution, minister Duraimurugan has demanded the Union government not to grant permission to Karnataka to build a dam across Mekedatu. He said that the proposal to construct a dam at Mekedatu has to be considered as an act of stopping water to Tamil Nadu. The resolution further highlighted that the Karnatak government did not respect the order of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal or Supreme Court and without receiving clearances from co-basin state or the government of India is proposing to construct the dam unilaterally, which is not acceptable. 

The resolution said, "Hence, the action of Government of Karnataka is strongly condemned by this august house." It also has urged the Centre not to give technical, environmental, or any other clearance to the Karnataka government. "This august house unanimously support all the actions of the Government of Tamil Nadu to prevent the attempt of the Government of Karnataka to construct Mekedatu project, in the interest and welfare of the farmers of Tamil Nadu", the resolution stated. 

By underlining that the issue is sensitive and long disputed between two states, the resolution has demanded the Union government to advise the Karnataka government not to take up the proposal of constructing the reservoir at Mekedatu or at any other place in the Cauvery basin, without getting the concurrence of the co-basin states and obtaining the clearance from the Union government.

Speaking at the assembly after tabling the resolution, Duraimurugan has slammed the Karnataka government and said, "How atrocious is Karnataka government saying that it will construct the dam in the place where the Supreme Court has allowed Tamil Nadu to use the water. Where is federalism if a state government is not respecting the directive of the Supreme Court." He further said, "The political parties in Karnataka are united in this issue and we must also be united." 

Speaking about the resolution, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said, "We stand united on the rights of Tamil Nadu. We will definitely win. The DMK government will take legal efforts in the Mekedatu Dam issue and I thank the members of all parties for supporting the resolution. Tamil Nadu government will stop the Karnataka government's plan of constructing a dam to all extents. Tamil Nadu government will definitely protect the rights of the Cauvery river and the rights of the Tamil Nadu farmers." 

It must be noted that the Karnataka government, in its budget for 2022-23, has allocated an amount of Rs 1,000 crore for the Mekedatu Dam project. Earlier, Tamil Nadu minister Duraimurugan has said that even if Karnataka had allocated Rs 5,000 crore for the project, the people of Tamil Nadu will not allow a single brick to be laid for the construction of the dam. Duraimurugan further said that the Mekedatu project issue is still pending before the apex court and the Karnataka government should not have allotted the money to construct the dam.