Cauvery dispute: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge urges Centre to simplify drought management guidelines | Bengaluru News

BENGALURU: Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said the state government has urged the Centre to simplify drought management guidelines while maintaining its firm position on the Cauvery water dispute.Kharge said the monsoon season is only halfway through and Karnataka needs more flexible norms to effectively handle the changing situation. “We have appealed to the Centre for drought management. Only 50% of the monsoon has ended. The Centre’s guidelines will be followed only after the rainy season is over. For that, the Centre has been requested to simplify the central rules,” he told ANI.The state minister also targeted Union Minister Prahlad Joshi politically, alleging that he had failed to raise Karnataka’s concerns at the national level. “Our stance on Cauvery water is clear. We can only give water to our people, but the Chief Minister has also asked for cooperation. In the wake of the Prime Minister’s arrival, the Chief Minister will personally appeal. Prahlad Joshi does not protect the interests of the state; he only speaks against the Chief Minister and us,” Kharge said. “Prahlad Joshi does not protect the interests of the state; he only speaks against the Chief Minister and us,” Kharge remarked.On July 30, 2026, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) rejected Karnataka’s plea against the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) order directing the state to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29. The authority asked Karnataka to comply with the directive.Karnataka chief minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the state would have to implement the CWMA order, adding that Karnataka had already placed its arguments before the authorities and filed an appeal against the recommendation. “Now, a decision has been issued regarding the Cauvery water dispute. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has directed Karnataka to release 3500 cusecs of water over the next 15 days. Whatever recommendations that has been given by the CWRC, we have given an appeal,” he said. He said Tamil Nadu had sought the release of 9.94 TMC of water based on the distress-sharing formula, while the authority directed Karnataka to release around 4.5 TMC. “At the same time, the inflow has shown some improvement over the last two to three days due to better weather conditions,” he said.D KShivakumar said the state was currently receiving around 25,000 cusecs of water, while it had been asked to release 3,500 cusecs downstream. He also announced an all-party meeting at 11 am on Sunday to discuss the future course of action on the Cauvery issue.Former chief ministers, MPs from the Cauvery basin region, Union ministers and several state ministers have been invited to attend the meeting.(With agency inputs)