Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Move Supreme Court With Conflicting Claims Over Cauvery Water 

Karnataka on Monday moved Supreme Court seeking modification of its order to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu saying its reservoirs did not have sufficient water, even as the two states indulged in a fresh legal tug of war, pressing their conflicting grievances. While Karnataka sought modification of September 20 order of the apex court, Tamil Nadu alleged that its neighbour should not be heard till it complied with directives of the Supreme Court and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT).

Earlier in the day, Karnataka said it was not in a position to release water to Tamil Nadu on various grounds including that its reservoirs did not have sufficient water and hence the order needed to be modified. Tamil Nadu said it was aggrieved by Karnataka’s non-compliance of apex court order, adding “the state of Karnataka is acting as judge in its own cause and refusing to comply with the orders passed by this court by consciously failing to ensure the release in spite of the matter being sub-judice before this court”.

The pleas of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are likely to come up for hearing tomorrow. On September 20, the apex court had directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 27, doubling the quantum fixed by the Supervisory Committee.

The apex court had on September 20 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. On September 12, the apex court had asked both states to ensure that law and order prevails. It had modified its earlier order on sharing of Cauvery water and directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs instead of 15,000 cusecs per day till September 20 to Tamil Nadu.

Also Read: Karnataka Refuses To Budge; Resolution Says Cauvery Water Only For Drinking