The Supreme Court on Sunday directed Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Management Authority’s directions on releasing water to Tamil Nadu, while hearing a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government.
The matter came up before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta. Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, appearing for Tamil Nadu, alleged that Karnataka was not following the Central Water Management Authority’s guidelines and that farmers in Tamil Nadu were not receiving the required water.
Tamil Nadu told the court that, as per the Cauvery authority’s order, 64 TMC should have been released, but only 14 TMC had been let out so far. It also submitted that reservoir storage stood at 76% as of Sunday morning.
Karnataka, represented by senior advocate Shyam Divan, denied non-compliance and cited water scarcity. The bench noted the conflicting claims and sought to examine the status reports filed by both states.
The court adjourned the hearing by a week and directed that, during this period, the states must follow whatever order the Cauvery Management Authority has issued. The case has been posted for August 24.
