OVER A CUP OF COFFEE- TAMILNADU AND ACID TEST FOR BJP

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE- TAMILNADU AND ACID TEST FOR BJP

Shyam and Gopi met over a cup of coffee. After a customary greetings, the all important topic Tamilnadu Politics figured in their discussion.  The issue assumes importance with the support of 50 and odd MPs the Central Government is getting on various issues.  On one side the Centre talks of stern action on corruption and ED department under its control have embarked on raids on Politicians of the State and on the other side, the local leaders, of course with the blessings of the Central leaders are in mood to condemn the corrupt.

Shyam said A B Vajpayee govt did a better job under similar circumstances. He rather stepped down with the three pronged attack of jayalalitha, Swamy and Sonia instead of bowing to the coercion of the Trio. At least, the present government has the majority of its own and need not submit to pressures of ruling party in Tamilnadu and should go in full measure on corrupt whether in Ministry or not.
Gopi intervened and said that the half measures so for, does not augur well for the Centre and unless follow up actions are hastened, the common man is going to doubt the sincerity of the Centre.

Shyam, while agreeing with Gopi pointed out that already sand mining as cause of corruption has been established with seizures of unaccounted money and gold. The sand mining contractor has been questioned and arrested. Only will to proceed further can bring to book the powers behind the Contractor.  While it can be accepted that the Centre need not intervene with the government at the state but that should not deter it taking action on higher echelons in the involved in such massive corruption.

Gopi said to Shyam, his views revolve around only Tamilnadu State whereas there is a greater impact all over India based on action of Centre.  There is a concrete case corruption and center's action will be a test of its sincerity, which is being watched by common man all over India and which will have a bearing on elections that are to follow shortly.  Besides, the scamsters are also watching the government.  No one should fail to notice, where all from support comes for corrupt of Tamilnadu.

Both Shyam and Gopi queried whether BJP will pass this Acid Test. They bid bye agreeing to meet again.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

A hue and cry is made on the one day stopping of the NDTV as if total ban has been done on it.   The said channel had exhibited with direct telecast of the Pathankot Attack by terrorists and  the Government has come to a conclusion that the channel gave some vital information to the enemy in the process, namely who were inside the Camp and what action was being taken.  If the channel feels that it has not done anything wrong and its footages are as similar to the other channels and has not crossed its limits in reporting and have not given any information to the enemy intended or otherwise, then they should say so and bring it to the notice of the government.  The Government has given adequate time for Channel to take recourse by whatever means it feels fit, either to bring more details and show they are not at fault or to go Judiciary, to clear the air.  Instead the usual mobbing up of the channels to cry press/media freedom is at peril and make the guild/Press club to speak on behalf of them does not speak well of the Channel.  While Gopu agreed with Shyam that the Channel should have taken directly with the Government before putting up a show of aggrieved, he felt that the punishment meted out was too small for the nature of abuse reported.  He felt that the one month ban should have been enforced as stipulated as guidelines existing.   
There is bound to be reactions for and against, subject being of freedom of expression.  But all this is due to the behaviour of the channels in general by not observing- not being aligned to any particular party in power or opposition and telecast dispassionately without a penchant to show off that they are the first and in the process care not exercised for the final product to come out of the channel.  Even when an error has crept in such a process, the best thing the channel should have done is to apologise to the viewers for having telecast a news item in a particular way and that the corrected facts are like this.  Facts once told will never need correction and only when prejudiced views are telecast, it is bound to be taken back at sometime or the other.   In this particualr case, the TV channel should have owned responsibility for telecasting sensitive information and should have given an undertaking to the government that such errors will be dealt with and Anchors, Editors responsible will be appropriately taken up.  This would be possible only when you feel that you are at fault.  Once when you are ready to accept you are at fault and not willing to put your angle and establish your motive is not to telecast sensitive information to enemy, the proper way should have been to have a dialogue with the government on the subject after the show cause.  If on the other hand, the channel feels it is being victimised, then also, it should explain why it is not wrong to the Ministry and also if the Ministry is not accepting its views, it should go for legal remedy.

It has become a fashion, in this country, to agitate for everything and dramatise everything and not to take options of dialogue and if failed to legal remedy.
They brand themselves as the new saviours of freedom of expression and care a hook for the various alternatives available before an agitation.  We have seen recently opinions of OROP not brought in Parliament and other forums by Politicians and instead chose to bring home their point on a dead man's funeral. This is how politicians of the country behave and many channels are in the grip of the politicians and the channels are shameless in telecasting other than truth in many cases.  And these people sitting in ivory-towers talk of self-regulation of their channels.   Even with control, the sorry spectacle of  temporary closure of channels on many previous occasions have happened.  Self regulation can work only when people have personal honesty to the core.   When people want to incite trouble, those who do not have unbiased reporting and have political leanings and show their hatred for individuals- then the rule for these becomes show me the man and I will show you what is right.  

Thus when politicians are corrupt and channels are controlled by business barons and these politicians, control has to be there and the guidelines stipulated has to be followed and ban imposed by not minimising than what stipulated.  On the other hand, the channels have to follow all procedures to bring their view, why they feel they are not wrong and also take to legal course and agitations are no way to settle score.  Adequate time should be given to the channels while taking action by the government as rightly done in this case.

Shyam and Gopu parted bidding bye from the coffee club.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – BRICS DECLARATION

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – BRICS DECLARATION

The BRICS meet at Goa was being looked at with interest for many in the country as it comes immediately after Uri attack by terrorists from Pakistan and the Surgical Strike by India.   Shyam and Gopu were no exception and they agreed to meet to deliberate on the subject over a cup of coffee.  Both came in the evening after the office hours and after all the pleasantries, settled down to a table where there would not be any disturbance. 

Shyam opened the topic telling there are mixed reactions in the Media about the outcome of BRICS meeting 2016 and he wanted to be sure about the actual wordings of the declaration to come to grips with what has happened.  He said he read the final declaration as put up in the BRICS Information Centre at http://www.brics.utoronto.ca/docs/161016-goa.html .   He said he had gone through all the 110 paras and now he is in a position to have a discussion on the subject.  Gopu on the other hand said he would very much like to read as the order in the declaration but has come to the table armed with details given here and there of the BRICS declaration in Media.

Shyam felt the GOI has done very well to get their point of view brought in the   second paragraph itself for bringing in the words – “ We agree that emerging challenges to global peace and security and to sustainable development require further enhancing of our collective efforts”.  Paras 57 to 59 exclusively talks of terrorism against India, possibility of using chemical weapons and also requests all nations of the UN to adopt the Comprehensive Covention on International Terrorism (CCIT)  in the UN General Assembly without any further delay.  This is a major achievement of the GOI that China a signatory to this declaration has to be along with other nations in UN.  Gopu agreed and said that knowing the relationship of China with Pakistan, it is a real success for the government to have made China to agree to this.  China’s development is at least two decades ahead in certain fields but India is catching up fast and China knew this and will not allow India to grow at this rate and will like Indian resources going for defence and this can be done with Pakistan only.  The regional supremacy with which China is able to get done with countries even neighbours is their current economic position and their advancement in technology front.  However the challenge posed by India is really being thwarted by China with its position in UN too.

For the benefit of Gopu, Shyam gave the paras 57 to 59 to him:

57. We strongly condemn the recent several attacks, against some BRICS countries, including that in India. We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons. We agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism both at the bilateral level and at international fora.

58. To address the threat of chemical and biological terrorism, we support and emphasise the need for launching multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism, including at the Conference on Disarmament. In this context, we welcome India's offer to host a Conference in 2018 aimed at strengthening international resolve in facing the challenge of the WMD-Terrorism nexus.

59. We call upon all nations to adopt a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism, including through organised crime by means of money-laundering, drug trafficking, criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terror entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).Successfully combating terrorism requires a holistic approach. All counter-terrorism measures should uphold international law and respect human rights.

Having gone through the specific words incorporated in the declaration, Gopu said how the arguments of the opponents who want to denigrate GOI on every single occasion sounds hollow.  Specifically the Congress is making much noise that there is no mention of Pakistan directly in the declaration;.  Having failed in ruling the country for such a long time, their anguish can be seen with the diplomacy front successfully used by the present government to bring round China agree for mention of CCIT.  Shyam added it is also to be seen very details being incorporated on terms like - terrorism, whether based upon ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic or any other reasons in para 57 and In this context, we welcome India's offer to host a Conference in 2018 aimed at strengthening international resolve in facing the challenge of the WMD-Terrorism nexus in Para 58 and comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, which should include countering violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, radicalisation, recruitment, movement of terrorists including Foreign Terrorist Fighters, blocking sources of financing terrorism, including through organised crime by means of money-laundering, drug trafficking, criminal activities, dismantling terrorist bases, and countering misuse of the Internet including social media by terror entities through misuse of the latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).Successfully combating terrorism requires a holistic approach. All counter-terrorism measures should uphold international law and respect human rights in Para 59.

While this is noteworthy about India’s point of view on terrorism to be contained from funds stage, recruitment of terrorists to final carrying out and human rights aspects involved, it is heartening an organization which represent 52% of the worlds population has come out with this assertion by signing the declaration.

Gopu afte going through the declaration singled out para 16 beautifully brings out what is happening in Afganistan and how the world community should help that to come out of the sufferings from terror acts.  Para 25 stresses the mutual cooperation necessary for economical growth - We reiterate our determination to use all policy tools – monetary, fiscal, and structural, individually and collectively, to achieve the goal of strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.  Above all, the declaration brings out the fact that the countries have moved closer by talking about Foot Ball matches between BRICS nations and also about Research on Railway Net work.

The just concluded BRICS meeting thus has paved the way for mutual cooperation in all fields and the India can be proud of its achievement in bringing to the world one more time the necessity to contain cross-border terrorism and how it affects growth of nations.  Shyam and Gopu bid goodbye.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TALKS WITH PAKISTAN

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TALKS WITH PAKISTAN

The coffee meetings of Shyam and Gopi this time centered around suggestions on talks with Pakistan.  While Shyam was feeling the remark of Mr Farooq Abdullah as just another one to put Mr. Modi in trouble, Gopi felt the failed politician who was immune to the problems of the Kashmiri Pandits in their distress has no right to talk, as the interests of the people will be served only talks and not by Surgical strikes.  Shyam said whenever there are problems across the border, the Abdullas’ from Kashmir issue statements and does not come forward to put their points across the table with the Centre.   They are happy issuing statements to put the Government at the centre in trouble and in times of distress the same governments should come running to help them as in floods or natural calamities.  These leaders though pose if they represent the people of Kashmir could not prevent separatists having field day in attacking police posts, army camps and neither could prevent a section of the youth to be trained in Pakistan.  They could have appealed many a times to curb stone pelting as a means of showing resistance to the administration of the state and inculcated in them the need to be away from problem sites and to attend schools when necessary.  The State administration during these peoples governance has not done anything worthwhile to contain these problems and instead sitting in opposition too could not keep the nation’s interests above that of their person agenda, to be in power perpetually and keep the problem alive for their families to enjoy.  The Centre both the present and the earlier governments have always shown patience in dealing with the unruly mob pelting stones and in spite of all these, when situation gets out of control have to use force.  This has happened over the years.  But had interest been shown, to solve the basic problem of providing the youth the right education and suitable opportunities for the educated and help to maintain peace at the border, the State government would have done their job.  On the contrary, successive governments have wasted their time by providing the basic necessities and divided the people on religious lines and their actions have only emboldened separatists all these days.  The Centre has provided all help and also opportunities of education and these have to be taken in the right spirit.  The State government has to create a right climate for that and if need be with the Centre’s assistance.  At least, this will ensure minimizing the problems of the youth in future.  All the leaders crying hoarse on talks with Pakistan should ensure a climate of change in Kashmir by bringing the youth to the educational institutions and not kindle their passions to pelt stones.   Once this is done and across the borders disputes can be settled, when the perpetrators of terror attacks are brought to book.   Had these leaders been the true representative of Kashmir, the problems would have been solved by this time.  It is to the credit of the present Central government to bring in more people to vote and this process should continue to bring in peoples participation in governance and the youth of the State will be encouraged for constructive activities.

Dossiers after dossiers have been given to Pakistan only for that to deny any involvement of their terrorists.  Now they are going to a level of protecting those terrorists with Government of Pakistan and Army taking opposing views on global reactions to protection of terrorists.  Pakistan has not accepted the presence of terrorist camps in the past and also the presence of Bin Laden.  When Bin Laden was killed, he was residing very near a Pakistani Military establishment.  A country which threatens of Nuclear War with the fear of further division of their country and not accepting to the violence of the non-state actors on other countries, is the one expected to come to table to solve the issue as per Mr. Farooq Abdulla.   He feels that the people of the State are suffering because of these strikes, and had he shown the same concern for the Kashmiri Pandits two decades back, the problem would not have assumed this proportion.

India would do well to destroy all the launch pads in Pakistan with the support of the World Community as every other person is affected and including the common people of Pakistan by frequent attacks by terrorists trained in Pakistan inside and outside of Pakistan.  While it is the internal matter of Pakistan when it comes to problems of attacks in Mosques of one denomination to the other, how can Pakistan absolve responsibility for strikes made by terrorists trained in their soil on an other country.  India being a neighbor is worst affected and have no found in talks with Pakistan as talks do not result in  action of Pakistan to take up on culprits shown with evidence and further camps of terrorists still exist.

Hence the days of awaiting for response for every dossier is over.  It is a period to destroy the Launch pads of terrorists.    If necessary, men behind acts of violence and leaders of terror outfits have to be eliminated by such strikes.  The world at large is worried about the nuclear weapons in possession with Pakistan and its uncared attitude for use of such weapons if threatened.   For the very same reason, the world community will come behind India in eliminating the sources of terror.   The only terms on which India can come to the negotiating table is by Pakistan handing over the terrorists named and stopping activities which is injurious to both India and the world, namely training of terrorists.   Perhaps, if the Civilian Government of Pakistan is able to assert its power to the show the rightful place to their Army, they will be able to contain terrorism and also can live peacefully themselves and allow others too to be peaceful without attacks. The Bonhomie between the true representative of the people of Pakistan, as Government of Pakistan with all concerned, will be benefitial for the growth of Pakistan economically and a peaceful world.

The Abdullahs who in the name of brokering peace in Kashmir will have no role to play.   Their assumption to represent people have only increased the problems to the Centre and the Centre would be doing well, to ignore the statements and concentrate on real peace by development and growth in Kashmir with the total involvement of Kashmiri Youth.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - TAMILNADU WITH NO CHIEF MINISTER

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - TAMILNADU AND CHIEF MINISTER

Shyam and Gopu settled in the Coffee Table in the outskirts of the City and spoke how a State does not have the benefit of an elected CM due to ill health and a party which is having a majority has failed to elect a leader temporarily even to look after the duties of CM.  It is not an emotional issue and it is a question of governance.  The day-to-day administration have come to a standstill is the real truth.  Acting with proxies and unauthorised people cannot be taken as having rule in  a State.  Due process of law must be followed to ensure continuity in administration.

It is a very unfortunate that the people of Tamilnadu even those not from party cadres airing their views with emotions carrying the day.  When the CM was admitted in Appollo hospital, she was having fever and dehydration, that is how, it was given to understand.  With no transparency on what is going on in the Hospital all sorts of rumours floated in Tamilnadu and also through WhatsApp everywhere.  The grand old man from the Opposition asking for the truth in the treatment to CM must have had ulterior motive but is it alright for keeping the people of the State in darkness, who had voted this party to power to govern. How anybody can say that a group of people did meet the CM and took orders in the early stages of treatment and later on even the Governor could not visit as advised by the Doctors due to the nature of illness.  Officially the Hospital also has issued a statement that the CM will have to stay in the hospital for a longer time.   This happened even as a Doctor from UK had to be consulted and he in turn telling the reporters he would be in touch and expect to come back in a week's time. While it is correct that panic should not be created among the dire and vehement supporters/cadres of the party in power and also the general public and for the same reason a ruling dispensation even as a temporary measure is the answer.

Here it is to pointed out that those who know Tamilnadu, will look askance when something like this is suggested for, for them, nothing other than the CM can be given the role to carry the mantle.  Tamilnadu has taken the level of politics where the Ministers have roles to play as offered by the party Supremo whether it is DMK or AIADMK.  Hierarchy has not been built with constant shuffling, downgrading of ministers with no reasons brought out to the public who have elected them.   Rumours have a great role for knowing such things and with the multiplicity of newspapers and TV channels, they have field day in bringing all sorts of reasons.   These should play a greater role in decision making by the Governor for bringing in normalcy in the State with clear assigned role for the person who has to run the day-to-day administration in the absence of the CM.   The Centre can support a regional outfit to be in power but cannot go to an extent where you play no role when necessary.

Above all, the Governor cannot keep silent without acting to bring in normalcy to the State and day-to-day administration carried out with due process of law.   The ruling party in the state, AIADMK should be asked to take necessary action to keep the Administration in Tamilnadu is done with due process of law.  At this, Shyam opined that the Governor should fall back upon his legal advisers and should get the alternative and treat this as an emergency where the CM has fallen sick and cannot act for quite some time on her own.   While agreeing Gopu said, it is equally important that the ruling party should on their own go in for consultations among its Working committee and also according to the rules enacted by the party to put the official machinery back on track.   This is more appropriate rather than forcing a solution on it.   They owe to the people who elected them and also those who have done so, in the interest of fair and stable administration.  This is the time for the party to prove that they can get their act together to see Tamilnadu is provided the administration they deserve.  Will they atleast name a person as Deputy CM to look after the duties until the CM gets well?

Shyam and Gopu bid goodbye and wished wiser counsel prevails.

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - SURGICAL STRIKE

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - SURGICAL STRIKE

As had agreed upon over phone, Shyam and Gopi joined in the coffee table and occupied the far most corner so as not to be disturbed.  Both of them saw an element of surprise in the surgical strike by India on 28th September 2016 night. Nothing could be clearly understood when the first news was seen in the MSM in the afternoon, when the DGMO explained how the surgical strike was done to destroy the launch pads in POK of Pakistan for the terrorists and infiltrators.  Lot of questions lingered in the minds of the viewers, how far did Indian Army entered into the line of control area into PoK to undertake this mission. Whether air support was given to the army and whether air dropped men went and did their job and how they returned?  Though some of these questions have not been answered conclusively, both Shyam and Gopi were happy that the GOI had taken this step and had given the necessary backing for the Army to carry out the mission.

The story of attacks on Indian soil, even in the interiors and especially in the borders were a continuing story all these times and all the efforts to bring to book the perpetuators remained a dream for India.  India supplying any amount of information on attacks never satisfied Pakistan and they were always on denial mode.  It had become customary for that country to even disown dead soldiers of their country even with identities.   No one can vouchsafe for the identities of captured or dead soldiers, as every likelihood was there, for them to be fake.  Apart from that, terrorists in army uniform carried out attacks, was how once classified by the earlier government.  Over the years, India was helpless even with the International community were mere spectators but for providing information here and there without giving fully, where terrorists were involved - not only attacks in India but in other parts of the world.  It was pointing out to terror outfits trained and protected by Pakistan and even the name of the Army of that country cannot be absolved as could be seen in the case of Osama Bin Laden.  The hiding place of Osama was very near to an army camp of Pakistan.   But they were in denial mood all the time until he was eliminated.

It is to be pointed out here, that the Westerners were pumping money to various governments in Pakistan, especially in the last two decades in the name of eliminating terrorism.  It appears all these have gone into the pockets of a selected few.  The terror outfits only changed their name and continued their terror attacks for the detrimental of peaceful societies. Perhaps the West was paying more to get information and to eliminate on their own at appropriate time of their choice as they had the habit using these outfits too to create problems.  

Thus the Shyam and Gopu after analysing the impact of the problem of terrorism across our borders, felt the strikes were necessary for India, as they were the worst affected by way of infiltrators entering into Kashmir and creating problems on day to day basis in the valley.

Apart from that, there were the training of the misguided youths of Kashmir in Pakistan and they too have to enter into Kashmir for which necessary help has been rendered by the Pakistan Army.   Hence the launch pads of terrorists are the targets.  But it has to be borne in mind, that the surgical strike this time is only on seven of the approximately 35 launch being mentioned in some of the channels.  How far is this true is not known, but definitely there will be more terror outfit hidings from which these operate to the detriment of our interests.

The Army and GOI are to be appreciated for the co-ordinated effort in their planning, gathering of information before strike and the actual carrying out of the strike with the least of casualities to the Indian side.  The commando type of operation requires high precision and it has been carried out meticulously by the army.  As seen earlier, as more terror outfits are operating and the possibility to regroup, though it may take sometime, the Government will have to give a free hand to the Army to gather intelligence and to go strikes whenever necessary and duly using its diplomatic channels to keep abreast of how various terror outfits still remain in spite of Pakistan posing as if it helps to eliminate terror.  Here it must be understood, as long as the terrorists base is maintained only it can benefit by receiving huge sums of money.

Thus the equations between the terror outfits, the Army and the Government of that country is always a Mystery.

Here the solution eludes the world community because an elected government in Pakistan is unable to come out of the grip of the army and also conduct itself independently to reassure the world community.  When this is the truth, India has to be on the alert duly keeping a no man's zone near the border and also to have commandos ready to eliminate terrorists periodically.   This has become necessary, as the elected of Government of Pakistan has failed to contain the terror outfits, dismantle their camps , Shyam observed. 

While agreeing with Shyam, Gopi also added that:

Hence the method followed this time will have to be carried out, even in other forms on a continual basis to assure peace within India and of course at the cost of the Exchequer.  

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - SHARING CAUVERY WATER

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - SHARING CAUVERY WATER

                                                      TALA CAUVERY

Gopu and Shyam met after a gap of almost a fortnight and had to remind themselves that they are not alive to the changing environment and that too, the much debated Cauvery Water Issue.  Even as they ordered for the coffee, Shyam told Gopu that the changing environment of both in Tamilnadu and Karnataka is not being taken into account and the sharing of water has to be reviewed every 10 years with a clear stipulation to the States concerned that the augmentation of water to satisfy the needs of both farmers for irrigation and all people of their drinking needs should be the prime deciding factor.

Gopu told it was very easy to sum up like that, but the States have their own priorities and if they have to conform to certain regulations of any deciding authority in the form of Tribunal or river authority, the longer the duration than 10 years only is practical.  He said any decision will be brought to the Court for further enhancement of quantum of water as a dispute and the cases will run for years.

Hence Gopu said that the projection of water, anything additional than whatever each state was getting has to be from an additional source or sources and an additional project or projects.  This has to be enforced to both the States. Both States should be encouraged to have desalination of sea water and augment their use and Centre has to provide the necessary funds with a time frame for completion of projects.  Naturally this will involve the people of the area where the projects are undertaken, and necessary steps should be taken offer alternate employments.  

Shyam said it is wiser that way, but has only taken so many years even to talk about alternatives.  He recalled that the British India and Princely State of Mysore were involved in the sharing of Cauvery water and they had agreements too in 1892 and 1924. The above agreements were between the Madras Presidency and Princely State of Mysore.   802 km flow of Kaveri river has 44000 sqkm basin area in Tamilnadu and 32000 sqkm in Karnataka. Mysore named Karnataka after independence requested Tamil Nadu seeking permission to make changes to various clauses after 12 years of independence. But Tamil Nadu Government turned that down saying they can be addressed only when the agreement runs out in 1974.  In 1970, Cauvery fact finding committee found that the Tamilandu irrigation area has increased from 14,40,000 acres to 25,80,000 acres whereas the Karnataka irrigation stood at 6,80,000 acres.

Gopu agreed with Shyam and also said he would add that further developments took place in the year 1990.  Thus the States tried by negotiations but failed to come to any agreement.  After considerable negotiations between the States and the Centre,  a tribunal was set up in 1990 which gave its water distribution solution in 2007.  The tribunal allocated 419 billion cuft (12 cu Km) to Tamilnadu, 270 billion cuft (7.6 cukm) to Karnataka, 30 billion cuft (0.8 cuKm) to Kerala and 7 billion cuft (0.2 cu Km) for Puduchery.  All the States filed to review the quantum of water distribution suggested by the Tribunal.

Earlier, even during the British Rule there were differences on building Dams at Kannambadi and Mettur with the amount of water to be stored.  Then in 1892 too, the then Government of India, went for an arbitration and permission was granted for 11TMC only for Karnataka to build its Dam.   Mettur dam was accorded a capacity of 80 TMC.  However after the Independence, things changed and Karnataka built dams on Rivers Kabini (17 TMC capacity) and River Hemavathi (37TMC) in the Cauvery river system.  Krishnarajasagar Dam at Mysore has the capacity of  49.45TMC presently.

In Tamilnadu dams, Bhavani sagar-33 TMC, Mettur-93 TMC, Amaravati-4/5 TMC are on cauvery water system.  Mettur dam though large than other Dams of Tamilnadu is smaller than Linganamakki, Supa, Hospete and Alamatti.  This Shyam told is the point to be considered by the Tamilnadu Government why the other means of augmenting water is very essential, since the States which have the larger dams themselves are not self-sufficient in water.   Tamilnadu should also consider about the rain shadow region of the state.

Both Gopu and Shyam felt the agreements if at all gets changed for sharing water would only solve the immediate requirements and necessary planning of both States required for bringing in New Projects for all new increase in Irrigation and Drinking purposes and desalination of sea water is inescapable as one of the source of water for both the states.