SC asks Karnataka to give 6,000 cusecs Cauvery water to TN till Friday
Supreme Court today directed Karnataka to discharge six thousand cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till Friday despite its assembly resolution and the state expressing its inability to release Cauvery water. However the apex court called for a political solution to the impasse by convening of a meeting of Chief Ministers of the two states and the Centre.
A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to facilitate a meeting of the executive heads of both states with the Centre over the next two days to find a resolution to the impasse.
In its plea before the apex court yesterday, Karnataka had sought modification of its order asking it to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, saying it could release the water only by the end of the year, as it first needs to provide for its own state for drinking purposes.
Karnataka moved Supreme Court on Monday seeking modification of its order to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu saying its reservoirs did not have sufficient water.
Preserving Cauvery water for drinking purposes top priority: CM Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said that preserving Cauvery water for drinking purposes was the first priority as mentioned under National Water Policy. He was reacting to Supreme Court bench decision ordering the state government to release 6000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for three days.
Talking to media in Bidar Mr Siddaramaiah who made an aerial survey of the flood ravaged villages in the District, said that he has not gone through the court order yet.
Karnataka BJP unit President B S Yeddyurappa today termed as grossly unfair and unfortunate today’s Supreme Court bench’s direction to the state to release 6000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for three days.
Meanwhile in Bengaluru, the City Police Commissioner N S Megharik announced clamping Prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the City banning carrying arms, lethal weapons, taking out processions, assembly of more than five persons, making provocating speeches and other activities which disturbs peace in the society.
Following the Supreme Court fresh order to release of 6000 cusecs for three days to Tamil Nadu the agitation began in Cauvery basin regions disturbing the traffic on the state highway Bengaluru-Mysuru today.
The prohibitory order under section 144 crpc clamped in the Mandya district till midnight today. Even the Ramanagara district authorities also enforced the prohibitory order until midnight today.
In another major development, Karnataka Government has called an all party meeting tomorrow morning to discuss response of the state to the apex court order to release 18000 cusecs Cauvery water to Tamilnadu from tomorrow till 30th of this month. Subsequent to the all party meeting the Cabinet will meet in the afternoon to discuss the next course of action.
Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru today, Congress leader Digvijay Singh noted that Karnataka legislative Assembly represents the will of the people and resolution passed by it unanimously reflects the sentiments of the people. He appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to look into the shortage of drinking water in Karnataka and pointed out that National water policy provides people the first right over drinking water.
BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa has reacted that his party will stand by any decision taken by the Government; he however criticized Congress leaders for their attempt to draw Prime Minister into Cauvery water dispute issue.