In a significant observation, Justice Dipak Misra asked the government of Karnataka to adopt the code of ‘live and let live’ and consider releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Judges Dipak Misra and UU Lalit while listening to petitions filed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments noted that Tamil Nadu had been facing an issue of water deficit for the past three months.
The Hindu reports that Justice Dipak Mishra also observed in court, “Tamil Nadu's situation is 'water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.”
The judge also asked Karnataka to at least honour the Cauvery Tribunal Award of 2007. While urging Karnataka to take steps to release water, the court also said that the state needs to allow Tamil Nadu to exist as an entity.
According to the Cauvery Tribunal Award, Karnataka is supposed to release 50.5 TMC ft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from the storage of four of its reservoirs.
But this year, Karnataka did not release water citing drought and acute water deficit. Tamil Nadu went to court asking the apex court to issue a directive to Karnataka to release water in order to save its Samba crops.
In the last few days, both the states have witnessed protests by farmer and political parties.
The top court will continue to hear the matter on Monday.