BANGALORE: Even as the tension over Rajnikant’s Kuselan died down, following the actor’s apology to Kannadigas , the government on Thursday said an all-party delegation will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to impress upon him the state’s claims regarding the land dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai said a 67-km territory near Hogenakkal falls, demarcated by the British administration , does not belong either to Karnataka or TN. Replying to C S Putte Gowda (JD(S)) , Bommai said officials who inspected the place reported that TN, except for erecting a temporary structure, has not taken up any work.

“It has to be decided to which state the territory belongs, whether TN has taken up work in its territory and if it is abiding by the Supreme Court order directing it not to initiate work on disputed land. To address these, an all-party delegation will go to New Delhi,” Bommai said.

The government expressed unhappiness over TN’s unwillingness to come for a meeting when Karnataka initiated a dialogue.

WATER WARS

The Hogenakkal water project, being executed by the Tamil Nadu government, was initiated to meet drinking water needs in fluorosis-affected Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, bordering Karnataka.

The project was brought to the fore when B S Yeddyurappa, in his capacity as BJP leader, visited the spot during assembly elections in Karnataka. TN maintained that it had requisite clearances from the Centre and ordered commencement of work after the polls.

The Karnataka government, in February, urged TN not to take up the project as the issue is pending in the Supreme Court; it is part of a petition filed by the state challenging the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal’s final verdict.

TN’s stance is that the project will not affect Karnataka’s interests.

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