Release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to TN till Sept 27: SC to K’taka

The apex court also asked Centre to constitute Cauvery Management Board in 4 weeks.

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu from September 21 – 27.

The apex court also asked Centre to constitute Cauvery Management Board in 4 weeks.

“We will have to sacrifice our drinking water for irrigation purposes in Tamil Nadu,” Fali Nariman, appearing for Karnataka government, said to the court.

Supreme Court further allowed Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to file objections to Cauvery supervisory committee report in 3 days.

In view of the Supreme Court hearing, the Bengaluru police had made elaborate security arrangements across the city. To avoid a repeat of September 12 when violence rocked the city, the police had beefed up security, especially in areas that witnessed arson and police firing last week. Meanwhile, Section 144 has been imposed in Mandya's Sanjay circle.

Overruling differences between the two states, the Cauvery Supervisory Committee had on Monday ordered Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs water per day to Tamil Nadu between September 21 and September 30, leading to protests.

Despite day-long discussions, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu failed to reach an agreement on the quantum of water to be released.

While Karnataka said it was in a position not to release any water, Tamil Nadu said 3,000 cusecs of water would not be enough for carrying out cultivation of crops in Cauvery Delta region.

Refusing to give in to the demands of both states, Chairman of the CSC and Union Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar ruled that Karnataka should release 3,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 10 days beginning September 21 since the Supreme Court order of releasing 12,000 cusecs of water daily ends on September 20.

The CSC chairman said he took the decision keeping in mind various factors such as the need for drinking and irrigation water in Karnataka and summer crop in Tamil Nadu.

The Central Water Commission is working on devices to be placed at various points to provide real time data. Lack of credible data makes it difficult for the various parties to arrive at a consensus.