Madurai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 22 (ANI): Following the conclusion of the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting, Tamil Nadu Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar reiterated that matters regarding the Mekedatu project and the Cauvery River issue cannot be discussed outside the court, as the dispute is currently pending in the Supreme Court.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar emphasised that the state government did not accept or permit any such discussions on these matters at the Southern Zonal Council meeting.
"We have made it clear that anything regarding the Cauvery and Mekedatu cannot be discussed in the council. We have already informed them that these matters are currently pending in the Supreme Court, alongside several contempt and other petitions. Because the issue is sub judice, it definitely cannot be discussed outside the court, so we did not accept or permit any such discussions...our Chief Minister is very firm on this stance, and we remain completely resolute: anything pending before the Supreme Court regarding Cauvery or Mekedatu cannot be discussed outside of it," said Kumar.
Meanwhile, in a significant display of regional consensus, Southern states on August 20 collectively urged the Centre to retain the 1971 census for Parliamentary seat allocation to protect their representation during the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting.
Chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and hosted by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the high-level meeting focused on critical issues including the Delimitation Bill 2026, inter-state water sharing disputes including the Mekedatu and Mullaperiyar dams, and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Following the conclusion of the 31st Southern Zonal Council Meeting in Kovalam, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that southern states have reached a consensus to appeal to the Centre to retain the 1971 census for Parliamentary seat allocation to prevent any increase in seats.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, "The meeting has gone well. We have raised various issues in the interest of all southern states. We have appealed to the Union Home Minister that the 1971 census should be used and there should be no increase of seats in the Parliament. That is the main agenda. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, and Karnataka have all come to the same agreement."
Addressing the Mekedatu dam row, the CM assured neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Puducherry that their water share remains secure.
"I have made a commitment to the state of Tamil Nadu before the Home Minister that whatever Mekedatu Dam water is there, even a single drop of water, except for drinking water of 5 TMC, the rest of the water will be left to Tamil Nadu itself. So Tamil Nadu and Puducherry shall rest assured. The dam will be built only for you, not for us," he added.
The meeting was held at Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel in Kovalam in Chengalpattu District. (ANI)
"Cannot be discussed outside court:" Tamil Nadu minister CTR Nirmal Kumar on Mekedatu, Cauvery river issue
