With the Supreme Court overriding the Cauvery Supervisory Committee’s order and directing Karnataka to release 6000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, CM Siddaramaiah has said the order is not implementable.
"Since we do not have water, it is very difficult to implement the apex court order. It is an unimplementable order," said Siddaramaiah.
A division bench of the apex court ordered the state to release 6,000 cusecs per day from Wednesday for a week till September 27, doubling the quantum fixed by its appointed Cauvery Supervisory Committee on Monday for 10 days till September 30.
The top court's fresh directive comes into force a day after the state completed releasing 12,000 cusecs daily on Tuesday as per the court's September 12 order, modifying its September 5 order to release 15,000 cusecs daily for 10 days from September 7.
There is a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where the Cabinet will take a view. I have called an all-party meeting to discuss the pros and cons of the SC order, the CM said.
"We will decide our next course of action at the council of ministers meeting on Wednesday in consultation with water technical experts and our legal team," the CM told reporters on Tuesday night.
All members of Parliament from the state, including Union Ministers, and state ministers concerned will participate in the meeting to discuss the issue and arrive at a consensus on how to face the situation arising out of the top court order.
The apex court's Tuesday order will be placed at both meetings along with the state's representation to the supervisory committee meeting and the petitions it filed before the court, pleading its inability to release any more water for irrigation in the neighbouring state.
The CM also appealed to the people to remain calm and maintain peace in the hour of distress as the state was going through a difficult period due to deficit monsoon rains.
"I appeal to the people, especially those in the Cauvery basin areas to maintain peace and not get carried away by emotions. We are committed to protect the interest of the state, its people and its farmers. Everyone should cooperate," added Siddaramaiah.
(With IANS inputs)