The Cauvery Supervisory Committee, headed by Union Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar, decided to hold one more meeting on September 19 to decide on the quantum of water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other States. This is even as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka witnessed violent protests over the sharing of Cauvery waters.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Shekhar said the Committee has asked for more data on the water released to other States in the past nine years. “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,” the Water Resources Ministry said in a release.

The Ministry said during the discussion it was found that certain information related to unauthorised withdrawal of water at a time when it is not permitted were not available. “The committee did not wish to pass an order which is not backed by supportive data,” the release added.

The meeting also decided that the Central Water Commission will draw up a new protocol of online collection of data related to rainfall and flow of water on real time basis, which may be shared simultaneously with all States. “All the three States (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and Puducherry have been requested to submit the relevant and data by the 15th September, 2016,” Shekhar added.

Meanwhile Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said the Centre will help Karnataka to curb violence. “I am in touch with the Chief Secretary of Karnataka and whatever help is required will be provided,” Mehrishi said.

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