than what we were assured for. Since then water level has come down dangerously to the level of 71.65 feet. In other words in mere five days, the water level has been drawn down by three feet. MATF’s efforts to find the reasons for drawing down water at such rapid rate has not been very successful. We were told by KRS engineers that at the order of Cauvery Niravari Nigam Ltd., during three days around Ugadi water was let off at a rate as high as 4000 cusecs. That high level of discharge per day can meet 50 days need of Mysore. In our estimate after the critical level of 68feet, when water can be drawn only from river bed, there is only about 1.5 TMC of water at best at KRS ( between 68feet and today’s level of 71.65 feet). Mysore needs at least 1.3 TMC ( including the leakage) till the end of May to supply a minimum standard of 135 liters per person per day and other cities like Mandya, Srirangapatna, etc need another 0.4 TMC. This clearly shows that the amount of water available above the critical limit at KRS is not adequate. However even at this stage we can muddle through the crisis if only we can optimize the use of available water at KRS. However who is going to bell the cat of optimizing the water at KRS? Who are these invisible authorities or power who is pulling these strings of drawing down water? Even the Deputy Commissioner Mr. G. Kumar Naik, the chairman of emergency water committee is unaware of the reasons for rapid draw down during Ugadi. MATF readily recognizes that besides residents of Mysore, Mandya, Belagola, Srirangaptana etc, farmers and others have also the right for this water. But the genius of a civilized society depends upon the ability to assess the need of all these different stake holders, means of satisfying these needs and utility of satisfying the needs. Drinking needs of people has far higher utility than producing food which can be imported or taking bath during religious functions or getting votes for some candidates etc. What we have seen so far is the total lack of transparency in deciding how to implement this optimization process. If we have such draw downs in the future, water crisis can become extremely severe. Also if monsoons start late, then water crisis can become unbearable. When MATF called the meeting of corporators , out of 65 only 12 showed up. Same was the case with MLAs and MLCs. This is because they also know that most of the citizens do not hold them responsible for water crisis. As a result, they are also indifferent. This is the time citizens should start calling their corporators and ask them to get in touch with the Chief Secretary of Karnataka Government to inform them about the real situation. Today he is the final authority to decide on the use of KRS water. They should also put pressure on the government by writing letters to authorities, politicians and media. None of the significant suggestions given by MATF like setting right the faulty meters, emergency pricing scheme, steps to be taken to ration water, transparent ways of supplying water through tankers, etc has been implemented by the authorities. Now of course it is too late to implement any of these steps. Only thing now we can do is to share the crisis in an equitable way. And if citizens show indifference thinking that their voices will not be heard, we are going to face a very major crisis worse than last year. Mr. Lakshman, Chairman, MATF Water and Sanitation Water Sub-committee Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy , Member, MATF Water and Sanitation Water Sub-committee.