Apex court order to release more water adds to Karnataka’s woes

The Supreme Court’s order Tuesday to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from September 21-27 has further worsened the woes of Karnataka.

For the last 10 days, either the Supreme Court or the Cauvery Supervisory Committee has been directing the State government to release different quantities of water. The latest order has prompted it to call for an emergent Cabinet meet on Wednesday morning.

As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders in Bengaluru and Cauvery basin districts have been extended by a week. Security has been tightened in Bengaluru city with 16,000 police additional personnel along with paramilitary forces monitoring the law and order situation to prevent and violence.

Security has been tightened in sensitive areas, at the Kempegowda Bus Stand and City Railway Station, and all border check posts leading to Tamil Nadu is being monitored, with a platoon of paramilitary force deployed there.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday evening spoke to Congress party president Sonia Gandhi and apprised her about Karnataka’s position, informing her that the State is not in a position to release more water.

“What ever water is left in the four reservoirs will have to be used for drinking water needs in the State till the next monsoon season, that is, June 2017,” is what the Chief Minister is understood to have informed Sonia Gandhi.

The Cauvery Supervisory Committee (CSC), under the chairmanship of the Union Water Resources Secretary, on Monday had directed Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs for 10 days from September 21-30. The Supreme Court on Tuesday raised the quantum the fixed by the CSC by another 3,000 cusecs.

Earlier on September 12, the Supreme Court had ordered release of water from 10-15 days, while reducing the quantum of release of water from 15,000 cusecs to 12,000 cusecs.

On September 5, as an interim relief to Tamil Nadu, the apex court had ordered Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs for 10 days from September 6.

A few farmers’ organisation in Mandya protested the CSC directive by holding slew of demonstrations. Farmers from Upparakanahalli village held protest by eating mud in their own way. The villagers raised slogans against the State government.

Religious heads of prominent Mutts in Cauvery basin districts urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for a National Water Policy to resolve inter-State water disputes. A permanent National Water Policy is the only solution for inter-State water disputes like Cauvery, opined religious heads.

Led by ‘Cauvery Hitharakshana Samithi’, prominent religious heads who took part included Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, and Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji. The two seers decided to meet the Prime Minister to apprise the issue.

The strife between riparian States is increasing leading to a lot of problems and added to this; people of Karnataka have a feeling that the Centre and the apex court were adopting a step-motherly attitude towards them.

BJP’s reaction: Former chief minister and State BJP president BS Yeddyurappa said the Supreme Court’s direction to Karnataka is most unfortunate. “I am terribly disappointed by this ‘most impractical, unscientific and grossly unfair’ verdict, which seems to have been given without taking into consideration the genuine plight being faced by Karnataka on many fronts, including inadequate water for drinking water purpose to six major cities and 600 villages.”

JD(S)’ reaction: Former chief minister and Janata Dal Secular (JDS) leader HD Kumaraswamy urged the State government seek compensation to farmers from the Centre and demanded for an urgent Assembly Session to decide the State’s stand.

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