Tamil Nadu CM Vijay ramps up legal push against Mekedatu dam and unveils crop loan waiver

On 25 May 2024, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Vijay convened a senior‑level meeting to accelerate legal action against Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery River. The council, which included water‑resource officials, legal advisers and senior ministers, reviewed the Supreme Court’s earlier direction that the Central Water Commission assess the project’s compliance with existing water‑allocation orders. The Tamil Nadu government reaffirmed its intent to protect the state’s water rights and instructed officials to fast‑track a comprehensive legal strategy.

In the same meeting, Vijay announced a structured crop‑loan relief package for small and marginal farmers across the state. Under the scheme, borrowers with loans up to ₹50,000 will receive full waivers, while higher‑amount loans will get tiered discounts ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹40,000. Additional concessions are offered to small‑holder farmers, with up to 50 % relief on loans up to ₹50,000. The programme will be implemented through cooperative banks, and senior ministers from agriculture, finance and cooperative departments attended the announcement.