Karnataka meets Supreme Court directive half-way; decides to release 3,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu

BENGALURU: The Karnataka legislature on Monday decided to release water from the Cauvery basin reservoirs to the state’s farmers as the storage has increased by about 6.5 thousand million cubic feet due to rains.
Though it is not mentioned in the resolution, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the legislative assembly that 3,000 cusecs would simultaneously go to Biligundlu, the point of water release to Tamil Nadu, thus partially complying with the Supreme Court’s directive to release 6,000 cusecs daily from October 1to 6.

“With the country’s attorney-general supporting two of our demands — that the Cauvery Management Board should be set up only after a three-judge bench hears our appeal against it; and that a technical committee should visit the river basin in both states before deciding on water release — we are in a better position than ever before.

We want to comply with the court decision to the extent possible, so that we are not called a rogue state again and if possible, avoid contempt proceedings,” a cabinet minister told ET.

The Centre’s support to Karnataka’s stand through the application filed by attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi in the Supreme Court on Monday came for special mention in the legislative assembly, with CM Siddaramaiah, opposition leader Jagadish Shettar and JD(S) floor leader HD Kumaraswamy thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers from Karnataka Ananthkumar, DV Sadananda Gowda and Ramesh Jigajinagi for their effort.

“Our review petition filed in the court today (Monday) also says the same things about the CMB, while I wrote a letter on September 22 to Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati, highlighting the same points that the attorney-general has made,” Siddaramaiah said.

The chief minister also acknowledged the role of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and said he had taken all decisions on releasing water as per the octogenarian politician’s advice.

“He (Gowda) has repeatedly emphasised the impact that our decisions will have on the October 18 hearing in the Supreme Court on our special leave petition challenging various aspects of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award. That hearing will have a huge bearing on the welfare of our people.

We have to decide upon water release and compliance with Supreme Court orders keeping this issue in mind,” Siddaramaiah said.