Cauvery row: TN moves SC to secure due share of water

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay led-Tamil Nadu government on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Karnataka government for immediate release of the share of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu government standing counsel B Karunakaran confirmed the filing of the petition that alleges that the quantum allocated to it by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) as well as that released by its neighbour Karnataka was far less. A CWRC meeting held on July 28 directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs for 15 days starting July 29, an order which was upheld by the CWMA later. However, the quantum of water realised at Biligundlu ranged between 158-550 cusecs from July 29 to August 2, it said.
As of August 3, the combined total storage in the reservoirs in Karnataka--KRS, Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathy, stood at 77.537 TMC and Karnataka would face no difficulty in releasing Tamil Nadu's due share proportionately. Following rains in the catchment areas in the KRS and Kabini dams in Karnataka recently, the proportionate water to be realised at Biligundlu should be 26.954 TMC, it said. "Accordingly, the Cauvery Water Management Authority order allocating 4.536 TMC is very less," the release added. Karnataka has "failed" to share Tamil Nadu its due share of water and the quantum was 26.954 TMC, following which the CM directed the state to move the SC on the advice of senior advocates and secure a "due order", it added.