Karnataka Water Resource Minister M.P. Patil has poured ‘cold water’ over the expectations of millions of farmers in Delta Districts in Tamil Nadu by stating that chances of Karnataka releasing Cauvery water for irrigation purposes were ‘bleak’.

It may be recalled that a couple of days back, Tamil Nadu chief-minister Edapadi K. Palaniswami had penned a letter to his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah requesting him for an ‘appointment’ to urge/request the latter for release of Cauvery river water to meet the irrigation needs of farmers of the State’s Delta Districts.

Speaking to newsmen in Bangalore yesterday, Patil was asked about Tamil Nadu chief-minister’s request. “The storage levels in reservoirs and dams in Karnataka are sufficient only to meet Karnataka’s irrigation needs besides the drinking water needs of Bangalore and people of Delta Districts. In this backdrop, it would be tough to meet Tamil Nadu’s demand,” he said.

Patil also added that the situation would be explained to the Tamil Nadu chief-minister as and when he meets Siddaramaiah. In the meantime, Siddarmaiah has said that he was ‘considering’ the request of his Tamil Nadu counterpart for an appointment on the issue of release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu.