Thamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam has warned Karnataka that farmers would stop electricity supply to Karnataka from Neyveli Lignite Corporation and Kudankulam nuclear power project if the Central Government did not prevent the State from constructing a dam across Cauvery at Mekadatu.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his Independence Day address, announced yesterday that the State would construct dam across Cauvery river at Megadatu at a cost of Rs. 6,000 crores.

Taking exception to Siddaramaiah’s announcement, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam state vice-president R. Sugumaran said it has come as a rude shock to the farmers in the Delta region who have already lost kuruvai for the successive fifth year.

Sugumaran urged the Centre to intervene and advice Karnataka not to take up any projects until the Cauvery Management Board becomes functional and also without the permission of Tamil Nadu Government.

Sugumaran also demanded that the Centre set up Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee as recommended by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in its final order notified in the Central Gazette in February 2013.

“If the Centre does not prevent Karnataka Government from constructing dam across Cauvery river at Mekadatu, we (farmers) will stop electricity supply to Karnataka from Neyveli and Kudankulam,” he added.

“Farmers in the Delta regions have lost kuruvai for the successive fifth year and cultivation of samba has become uncertain as Karnataka has not released water that is due for Tamil Nadu,” Sugumaran said.

“Karnataka is not obeying the orders of Cauvery Tribunal or Supreme Court. After all, electricity in NLC is being generated through our hard work. Should we not refuse electricity to Karnataka which has refused to release water due for Tamil Nadu?” Sugumaran asked.