Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Vijay Calls for Rule of Law in Southern Water Sharing
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay spoke at a meeting of leaders from Southern States.
He said states that share rivers must cooperate and follow court decisions and legal rules.
He especially mentioned the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar water issues.
He said river water is important for people, farms and jobs.
Vijay also asked states to work together to stop illegal drugs from reaching young people.
He proposed shared industries, transport routes, ports and other economic projects.
He said NEET can make it harder for rural and disadvantaged students to enter medical education.
He also called for the number of parliamentary seats to remain based on the 1971 population count.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay urged cooperation and respect for law in managing interstate rivers.
He said Supreme Court judgments, tribunal awards and river-management mechanisms must be implemented fully.
Vijay highlighted the Cauvery and Mullaiperiyar disputes, including the legal basis for raising Mullaiperiyar’s water level to 152 feet.
He called for Southern States to cooperate against narcotics, develop shared economic corridors and strengthen the maritime economy.
Vijay reiterated opposition to NEET and demanded that Lok Sabha seat allocation remain frozen according to the 1971 Census.
- Who
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and representatives of Southern States at the Southern Zonal Council meeting.
- What
- Vijay called for lawful and cooperative interstate water management and proposed cooperation on drugs, economic development, maritime activity, NEET and parliamentary seat allocation.
- When
- Thursday, at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting.
- Where
- Kovalam, near Mamallapuram, in the Chennai region.
- Why
- He said shared rivers, economic links and other regional challenges require cooperation, while legal decisions must protect states’ rights and livelihoods.
- Meeting
- 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting
- Speaker
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay
- Water principle
- Supreme Court judgments, tribunal awards and statutory river-management mechanisms should be implemented in full.
- Cauvery
- Vijay said timely implementation of the Supreme Court judgment and Cauvery Water Management Authority decisions remains essential.
- Mullaiperiyar
- He said judicial decisions should guide increasing the water level to 152 feet.
- Economic contribution
- The Southern States were described as contributing over 30% of India’s Gross Domestic Product.
- Delimitation
- Vijay demanded a freeze on Lok Sabha seat allocation based on the 1971 Census.