Cauvery water dispute: The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has ordered Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days. The directive was issued following an emergency meeting on Monday during which both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu gave their representations,a Jal Shakti Ministry official told news agency PTI.
During the meeting, Karnataka offered to release 3,000 cusecs of water, while Tamil Nadu requested 12,500 cusecs. However, an agreement was reached to release 5,000 cusecs of water for the next 15 days, after which the matter would be reviewed again.
Karnataka has to ensure 5,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu
"Taking note of the severity of drought in the Cauvery Basin in Karnataka, which has been increasing and putting at greater risk even drinking water needs and minimum needs of irrigation, the state made submissions that it is not in a position to release water unless the inflows into reservoirs improve," CWMA said in a statement released on Monday.
“In turn, Tamil Nadu urged for releasing 12,500 cusecs of water (which is inclusive of backlog 6,500 cusecs) for the next 15 days,” the statement added. It said “Karnataka has to ensure 5,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu for the next 15 days as indicated by CWRC (effective from 13th Sep 2023 for 15 days).”
Karnataka govt to move Supreme Court
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the state government will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the CWMA order to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days. "We are thinking about whether Cauvery Water should be released or not; we are appealing to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and then a decision will be taken," he said, adding that "the state will strongly argue their case and request the top court to send a team to both states to review the situation and then pass a verdict."
Shivakumar further said that a delegation of MPs led by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be visiting the national capital to meet with the Union Jal Shakti Minister to address the Cauvery dispute. "We had less rain than usual in the last two months. The CWMC ordered to release 5,000 cusecs of water, but only 2 to 3 thousand cusecs reach here," said Karnataka's deputy CM.
The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been engaged in a long-standing dispute over the sharing of Cauvery river waters. The Cauvery River is considered a major source of water for the people in both states. The Centre formed the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990, to adjudicate disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry with respect to their individual water-sharing capacities.
(With agencies input)
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