Hearing Tamil Nadu’s plea on the Cauvery water issue, the Supreme Court on Friday told the Karnataka government to “live and let live” and consider releasing water to the neighbouring state.
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The court also noted that Tamil Nadu has suffered water deficit for three straight months from June this year.
The emotional appeal and sane advise came from the bench when Tamil Nadu brought to the notice of the court that the Karnataka Chief Minister has said that not a drop of water will be released to it.
Patil said that there would be no issue if there was sufficient water but there is only around 50 TMC of water in the reservoir and Tamil Nadu is demanding nearly all of it.
The court agreed to hear the case in detail on Monday. Patil said at present the state has only 51 TMC of water in all its four reservoirs, of which 40 to 42 TMC of water is required exclusively for the drinking water goal of Karnataka. Justice Dipak Misra observed that Karnataka should embrace the principle of live and let live.
The judges asked: “You can’t say you are not bothered about the Tribunal’s (decision)”.
The apex Court will look into the features of Cauvery Tribunal Award and decide on Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking release of 50.052 tmcft water.
“Two States have to live in harmony”. It is said, till date as much as 29 TMC has been released for August towards TN, as opposed to the 50 TMC of water which was the verdict passed by the Cauvery Water Tribunal final verdict which was passed in February 2007.
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However, Justice Misra observed that even though the amount of rainfall can not be assumed, if there is a formula in the Tribunal award, then Karnataka is bound by that formula.
