Tamil Nadu has demanded the Centre for the constitution of a Cauvery Managment Board (CMB) for the release of the river water because of the state’s recurring deficit, while Karnataka has expressed its opposition to the plan citing it is suffering deficit too.
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“Tamil Nadu’s situation is “water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink”.
Recalling the various steps taken by her government to protect the State’s rights, Jayalalithaa said letters have been written to the Centre and petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court.
Nariman is appearing for Karnatakain the case. The Karnataka Government said it is in deficit of 80 tmcft water and hence can not give water to Tamil Nadu.
It gave Karnataka till Monday to inform the court about the quantity of water that can be released to its neighbouring state.
As on August 31, 2016 Karnataka has ensured 33.05 tmcft of water, despite the inflows into its four reservoirs of Harangi, Hemavathi, KRS and Kabini being less by 46.84% of the normal year, it said.
As the states battle it out in courts, farmers have been protesting against Karnataka for not releasing water despite having been asked to do so by a court-appointed tribunal.
Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah conveyed the state’s inability to release Cauvery water for farmers in Tamil Nadu due to deficit rainfall in the river basin area.
At least 25 thousand million cubic feet of water is required to enable sowing of Sambal crop.
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A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur had last week posted the matter to September 2 after Tamil Nadu government mentioned it and sought an urgent hearing.
