Tamil Nadu Moves Supreme Court Over Cauvery
Tamil Nadu seeks Supreme Court intervention in Cauvery dispute. State alleges Karnataka failed to release allocated water. Petition demands enforcement of CWMA and CWRC directions. Karnataka faces protests amid drought and water shortage. MK Stalin criticises Vijay government over the issue. Tamil Nadu Approaches Supreme Court in Cauvery Water Dispute
The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, has approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention in the long-standing Cauvery water dispute. The state has alleged that the Karnataka government failed to release its allocated share of Cauvery river water despite directions issued by the statutory authorities responsible for water management between the two states.
In its petition, Tamil Nadu requested the apex court to direct Karnataka to comply with the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC). The state argued that Karnataka has not adhered to the mandated release of water, affecting irrigation needs and agricultural activities in the Cauvery delta region.
On July 28, the CWMA instructed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu after reviewing rainfall patterns and water availability in the Cauvery basin. However, Karnataka has been facing severe drought conditions in several districts, leading to concerns over reservoir levels and water availability for its own farmers and residents.
The water-sharing issue has triggered widespread protests in Karnataka, with farmers' organisations and Kannada groups opposing the release of water to Tamil Nadu. Protesters argue that the state's priority should be meeting local drinking water and irrigation requirements before releasing water downstream during a period of deficient rainfall.
Meanwhile, DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticised the Vijay government, alleging that Cauvery water due to the state had not reached farmers despite the scheduled release. He warned that protests would intensify if farmers' demands were ignored and questioned the government's handling of the issue, accusing it of failing to protect Tamil Nadu's interests.
The latest legal battle highlights the continuing sensitivity of the Cauvery river water-sharing dispute, one of India's longest-running interstate river conflicts. The Supreme Court's response to Tamil Nadu's petition is expected to be closely watched by both states, as the outcome could influence water distribution, agricultural planning, and inter-state relations during the ongoing monsoon season.