Farmers' body launches statewide drive against Mekedatu dam plan

The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers' Association launched a statewide awareness campaign on Sunday against Karnataka's proposal to build a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu, with its president P.R. Pandian flagging off the rally from Poompuhar.

The campaign is intended to inform the public, political parties and other stakeholders about what the association describes as the threat posed by the project. The rally was flagged off by A.M. Vikram Raja, president of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders' Associations.

Mr. Pandian said concerted action was needed to halt the proposal, which he argued should not be permitted to advance. He said the project would work against the interests of lower riparian States and could endanger the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers in Tamil Nadu. He called on people and political parties across the political spectrum to set aside their differences and oppose the move together.

He also maintained that Rasimanal, rather than Mekedatu, was the appropriate location for a dam.

Leaders of several farmers' associations, including P. Ayyakkannu, Kattikulam Manickavasagam, L. Adhimoolam, Vettangudi Srinivasan and Kollidam Viswanathan, took part in the launch.

The rally is scheduled to conclude at Tiruvarur on September 24. Along the way, Mr. Pandian is expected to visit Thanjavur, Tiruchi, Karur, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Chennai, Puducherry and Cuddalore.