Despite a resolution by the Karnataka Assembly, the SC’s direction on Tuesday to Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for the next three days has put the State in a fix. However the direction of the apex court to the Attorney-General to facilitate a meeting between the Governments of the two States to find a solution to this long-standing problem by Friday has been welcomed by the State. Karnataka has been demanding the intervention of the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the riparian States to resolve the issue. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already written to the PM and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for a discussion to resolve the issue.
last week the Karnataka Assembly passed a resolution, contending that the river water would be used only for meeting drinking water needs of villages and towns in the Cauvery basin and Bengaluru. The resolution, tactically did not mention the SC’s order directing the State to release 6,000 cusecs a day of water to Tamil Nadu till September 27.
Reacting to SC decision Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is touring in waterlogged Bidar district in north Karnataka said it is not possible to release water the moment a court order comes. “I am yet to get a copy of the Supreme Court order. We will study it and make a statement,” Siddaramaiah said.
According to legal experts, Karnataka will have to tread cautiously after Tuesday’s order. The State can send its resolution to the President of India seeking a Presidential reference. If the President agrees to it, the SC will have to refer the matter to a Constitution Bench.
The Karnataka Government on Monday told the Supreme Court that it can release additional water to Tamil Nadu only by December, and that “Karnataka’s all major cities, including Bengaluru, are falling short of drinking water”. Karnataka also sought modification of the Supreme Court order that instructed it to give more water to Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka had earlier released 15,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu for 10 days after the SC order in the first week of September. When the SC ordered it to release 6,000 cusecs of water to TN for 7 more days, it expressed helplessness saying that it is not in a position to release even a drop of water.
Anticipating trouble, the police have made elaborate security arrangements across Cauvery basin districts, in Bengaluru. According to sources the State Cabinet is meeting on Wednesday and a decision would be taken there.
Meanwhile the Karnataka Pradesh Congress committee working president Dinesh Gundurao said, “It looks like the Supreme Court has understood the situation the State is in and we welcome the move to attempt talks between both the States. We will take a decision after the Chief Minister returns from his tour in Bidar.”
The Major opposition BJP which moved the resolution in the Assembly saying the Cauvery water would be used only to drinking water purpose has said the party would support the Government. BJP State president BS Yeddyurappa said in a statement that the BJP will stand by any decision taken by the State Government in the interest of the farmers and the people. He said “Supreme Court’s direction to Karnataka to release 18,000 cusecs of water for three days is grossly unfair as well as unfortunate. BJP will stand by any decision taken by the State Government in the interest of the farmers and the people”.
“leader of the Opposition in Assembly Jagadish Shettar had moved a resolution which stated that the water from Cauvery basin must be drawn only for drinking purpose. In this background, there is no need to convene the session of the legislature again”, he added.
He said further that the BJP will explore all the possibilities of getting justice to Karnataka from the Union Government. BJP appeals to the people and farmers of Mandya and Mysore not to lose patience and instead maintain peace.
As per the water statistics available in the four reservoirs in the State across the Cauvery basin has only 20 TMC of water and State needs 28 TMC of water for drinking purpose only. Since both the houses have passed a unanimous resolution to release water only drinking purpose, the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday will decide the next course of action.