The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for three days starting Wednesday. The Court has said that Karnataka must release water despite the Karnataka legislature's unanimous resolution stating that the state had no water.
Asking the two states to meet the Attorney General of India for arriving at a solution, Justice Dipak Misra observed “We are in a federal system. Every state has to cooperate. It is cooperative system.” With this, the Court adjourned the hearing to a later day.
The executives of the two states are supposed to meet on Friday, under the aegis of the centre.
Karnataka's counsel, Fali Nariman told the court that it was impossible for the state to release water and that the government cannot go against the legislature.
Tamil Nadu's counsel meanwhile told the court that Karnataka's stubborn attitude was detrimental and the state was getting tired of repeatedly approaching the SC. Tamil Nadu also told the apex court that their crops would wither away if water was not released.
Speaking the Assembly on September 23, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the shortfall this monsoon was about 48% in the four reservoirs – KRS, Kabini, Hemavathy, Harangi – this monsoon.
Karnataka received 80% of its rainfall in the south-west monsoon. Just one percent
AIADMK Spokesperson CR Saraswati told News18 that it was up to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to take a call on whether Tamil Nadu will participate in talks to resolve the issue.
Asked about the shortage of drinking, Saraswati claimed “Karnataka has water, not heart to give.”
Congress Working President Dinesh Gundu Rao told News18 that there had been some rainfall since the resolution, but did not want to comment as he did not know the extent of the quantum.