CHENNAI: State CPM secretary P Shanmugam on Saturday criticised WRD minister N Anand’s announcement that water from Mettur dam would be released for 45 days from Sept 1, saying the duration would be inadequate for paddy cultivation and could work to Karnataka’s advantage in the Cauvery water dispute.Shanmugam said the Sampa crop required at least 120 days of assured water supply and that limiting the release to 45 days would adversely affect delta farmers.He warned that the decision could set a precedent that Karnataka could use to deny Tamil Nadu its rightful share of Cauvery water in future.Shanmugam urged the state government to ensure adequate water availability for delta farmers and avoid decisions that could weaken Tamil Nadu’s position in the inter-state water dispute.
