CHENNAI: The Supreme Court’s refusal to admit an interim petition by Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday seeking a directive to Karnataka government to release immediately 63 tmcft of water due till date for irrigation, has come as a shock to farmers of delta district. This is because the present storage in Mettur Dam will last only till the end of January and will not be enough to protect the standing Samba crops.
When counsel for Tamil Nadu presented the petition, the court refused to admit it. Karnataka has to release 192 tmcft of water per year to Tamil Nadu and as on date, 63 tmcft is due. To save the standing crops, Tamil Nadu moved the court seeking a directive to release the water due immediately, giving details about the comfortable water position in Karnataka reservoirs.
However, the court said the final order on the original petition regarding the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal had already been reserved after the hearing was over. So, the court could not entertain an interim petition ahead of giving the order. However, sources said the judge had orally instructed Fali Nariman, counsel for Karnataka: “Speak to your government on what is happening there.”
When asked about the SC’s refusal to entertain the petition, A Veerappan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Senior PWD Engineers Association, said: “Refusal to admit the petition by Tamil Nadu is unfair. With due respect to the SC, I have to say that the apex court has no reason to reject the prayer of Tamil Nadu. Further, rejection of this request is tantamount to supporting the unlawful activities of Karnataka in not releasing the water in time in violation of the award.
“The inflow into Mettur Dam has been reduced to the minimum — around 1,000 cusecs. But, we need at least 80 tmcft of water till January end, the harvesting period, to save the standing crops. If the Northeast monsoon rain is not up to expectation in the coming days, the crops will wither. The water due to Tamil Nadu is legal as per the award of the tribunal. This year, rainfall in Karnataka is quite good and therefore the rule of law is to direct that State to release the water due for a lower riparian State,” Veerappan said.
Asked what should the next step by the State government be in this regard to get water, Veerappan said Tamil Nadu government should file a new petition, (not an appeal) to ensure release of water from Karnataka.
Arupathi Kalyanam, general secretary of Federation of Farmers Associations of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, told Express that during the recent period the storage level in key reservoirs in Karnataka went up to 204 tmcft.
“Of this, they had released 153 tmcft for their own use. As on date, the storage in these reservoirs stands at 53.61 tmcft. Up to November 15, Karnataka had to release 163.5 tmcft to Tamil Nadu and of this, through the water received from non-catchment areas below Kabini reservoir, we have got around 100 tmcft. So, the neighbouring State could have released at least around 40 tmcft if not the entire due of 63 tmcft to save the standing crops.”
On the impact of Karnataka refusing to release water in the present situation, Kalyanam said: “As on date, the storage level at Mettur dam stands at 43.25 tmcft and the outflow is 7,900 cusecs. If the rain fails during this monsoon in the coming days, it will become a big problem for farmers. We need at least two or three fairly widespread, moderate spells of rain now or water release from Karnataka to save the standing crops.”
K Balakrishnan, a former MLA, and president of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association (CPI-M) is of the view that the SC rejecting the petition of Tamil Nadu was unfair. This year too, Karnataka did not wholeheartedly release water. Only the water overflowing from the dams has reached Mettur Dam.
“This year, since Mettur Dam water opened after a three-month delay, the crop was also delayed for three months and so we need regular supply for water till February to save the crops. As on date, the water in Mettur dam will suffice only for around 20 days. If Karnataka fails to release water and monsoon rain is also not up to the mark, the yield will be affected.
‘File review petition’
S Ranganathan, general secretary of Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association, said: “SC should order arrangements through the Centre for releasing water from Karnataka on pro-rata basis as suggested by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Major works for Samba crop has already been done. So, the Tamil Nadu government should file a review petition before the SC. The court should direct the Centre to assess the storage in key reservoirs in Karnataka.”