After Cauvery, another row brewing over Mahanadi

NEW DELHI: At a time when Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are locked in a fierce battle over sharing of Cauvery waters, two more states - Odisha and Chhattisgarh - are on war path over sharing waters of the Mahanadi river. With the issue reaching a point where both states are not willing to move away from their respective positions, the Centre has called a joint meeting with the chief ministers of these two states here on Saturday.

Both Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Raman Singh have confirmed their participation in the meeting+ , which is to be chaired by water resources minister Uma Bharati.

While Odisha has accused Chhattisgarh of not consulting it while building seven to eight barrages on the Mahanadi river, the latter claimed that it has not been drawing more water than what is due to it. The Raman Singh government has also questioned the Patnaik government's objection to the barrages, saying these are not at all hampering the flow of the river.International bulk sms service

The Odisha government has also been demanding setting up of a tribunal to look into the issue of water-sharing, arguing that it was a central government project and therefore the Centre must take a call on the issue in national interest.

Source:-TOI

Live: Chennai recorded lowest polling in TN

 Tamil Nadu witnessed brisk polling in 232 Assembly constituencies with over 25 per cent voters exercising their franchise by 11 a.m. Over 300 companies of paramilitary personnel are involved in election duty. The polling will continue till 6 p.m. today.

There were also reports of polling machines developing technical snags in Tirunelveli and Theni districts.

Stalin demands CBI inquiry into distribution of money

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam treasurer M.K. Stalin demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged money distribution in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies where the election have been postponed. Mr. Stalin alleged that a senior minister including Chief Minister Jayalalithaa were involved in the irregularities.

 Rajinikanth ducks query on cash distribution

Superstar Rajinikanth urged people to vote, saying it is the duty of all citizens to exercise their franchise.

 Live updates:

6.22 pm: Harbour constituency posted lowest turnout -- 53 per cent.

6.21 pm: Police arrested a man who attempted to damage ballot unit with a rival in a polling station in Ramnad district but polling was not disrupted.

6.20 pm: One person was arrested with Rs. 10,000 cash for trying to distribute cash to voters, says EC.

6.19 pm: 'Exit polls can be released after 6 pm today.'

6.18 pm: One polling officer died during polls. A presiding officer was changed in Madurai contituency.

6.17 pm: Polling by and large peaceful in the State, says EC

6.14 pm: Pennagaram has recorded the highest voting in the state -- 85 per cent.

6.13 pm: Actual polling percentage expected to be known by 8 pm, says Mr. Lakhoni.

6.11 pm: TN EC chief Rajesh Lakhoni addresses the press. Chennai has recorded lowest polling.

Overall turnout in Tamil Nadu till 5 p.m. 69.19 per cent.

6.00 p.m.: Voting ends in 232 constituencies. Those who reached the queue by 6 p.m. were issued tokens to cast their votes.

5.49 p.m.: Turnout till 5 p.m.: Coimbatore district: Mettupalayam 73 pc, Sulur 74 pc, Coimbatore South 58.94 pc, Valparai 69.80 pc, Thondamuthur 57.93 pc.; Coimbatore north 57 pc; Singanallur 59.80 pc.

Madurai district voter turnout till 5 p.m. 67.68 p.c.; Tiruppur district 69.17; Tirunelveli district 67.86; Namakkal district 77.63 per cent;

Source: thehindu.com