Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the Supreme Court order to release water is unimplementable since the state lacks enough water avaibility.
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Facing criticism over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue, despite the state writing to him twice seeking his intervention, the state BJP leaders have made a decision to boycott the all-party meet. “The Supreme Court verdict is like the light at the end of the tunnel”, party chief M Karunanidhi said.
Leaders of BJP, who stayed away in protest against the earlier decision to release 15,000 cusecs a day to the neighbouring state, expressed their willingness to participate in the legislature session.
Karnataka’s decision is a defiance in some ways of the Supreme court’s order of September 20th which directed the state to release 6000 cusecs of water from September 21 to September 27th.
The court today directed that 6,000 cusecs of water be released per day, an increase of 3,000 cusecs from what the Supervisory committee had directed on September 19.
If the Supreme Court haul up the executive under the Contempt of Courts Act for disobeying its direction, the executive could contend that the disobedience was “not wilful” as it had to adhere to a contrary order from the legislature.
Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi chief Velmurugan said his party welcomed the announcement and thanked Jayalalithaa for taking appropriate legal steps to obtain the court order.
Former prime minister Deve Gowda told reporters – ” The prayer of TN was only to save the samba crop.
Farmers wing of CPI (M), Tamilnadu Vivasayigal Sangam urged the Centre to implement the order without delay and the State government to make efforts to get additional quantum of water as 6,000 cusecs will not be sufficient. “The committee tried to reach to a conclusion but Tamil Nadu and Karnataka did not agree to a particular figure of release of water which was based on scientific facts”, Shekhar said. “At least now immediately assembly session should be called and a clear decision should be taken, there by respecting the public opinion.” he added. He said the government is with the people and assured that that it is committed to protect Karnataka’s land and water.
The interim order led to protests in parts of Karnataka, especially in Mandya district, considered as the hotbed of Cauvery politics.
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State Reserve Police, City Armed Reserve Police, Rapid Action Force and Quick Reaction Teams have been deployed all over city, where prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrpC is in force.
