Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah: No water to follow Supreme Court order

Hours after the Supreme Court asked Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for a week starting Wednesday, chief minister Siddaramaiah termed the order “unimplementable”. He called a Cabinet and an all-party meeting on Wednesday to chalk out the next step.

Karnataka will have to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 27, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while raising the quantum fixed by the Cauvery Supervisory Committee on Monday by 3,000 cusecs. The committee is mediating between the two states.

In view of the widespread protests over Cauvery waters, Karnataka pleaded that if it was ordered to release more water there could be “consequences”. The court over-ruled Karnataka's objections and doubled the quantum.

“Since we do not have water, it is very difficult to implement the order, the Karnataka CM told reporters in Bengaluru.

Mr Siddaramaiah appealed to public to maintain peace, while assuring that the government “is committed” to protecting the interest of the state and its people and farmers.

The water issue had led to widespread violence in Karnataka and some parts of Tamil Nadu last week.

The court also directed the Centre to constitute within four weeks the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) as directed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in its award.

“In our all-party meeting, we will discuss the pros and cons of this order. After taking views and opinion of leaders from all parties we will proceed further,” the CM said.