Cauvery water row: The Karnataka government has decided to file review petitions before the Supreme Court and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on Saturday, citing non-availability of water. The decision was taken after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a meeting with retired Supreme Court judges and former Advocate Generals of the state on the day of the Karnataka bandh on Friday.
On Friday, the CWMA endorsed the direction of its assisting body, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CRWC) asking Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
'We do not have water'
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "We do not have water and therefore cannot release water". Siddaramaiah said legal luminaries have given some opinions and suggestions. It was suggested to form an expert advisory committee to the government exclusively regarding the irrigation projects of the state.
"Data collection and advisory work should be done by the committee. The committee should advise the government and provide information to the legal team about inter-state water disputes," he said about the suggestion aired in the meeting. Siddaramaiah said action will be taken accordingly.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister H K Patil and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy were among those present at the meeting.
Cauvery water dispute
The Cauvery water crisis has once again surfaced in Karnataka with the water tribunals ordering the state to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till October 16. With the release of water to Tamil Nadu, it is almost certain that the standing crops which require 79 TMC of water will not get it. The fulfillment of the drinking water needs of Bengaluru city throughout the summer is also going to be another challenge. The requirement of the state for drinking water up to June 2024 is about 33 TMC.
Tamil Nadu had demanded for the release of 12,500 cusecs of water. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the rains received in August and September were the lowest in 125 years.
