NEW DELHI: In a major relief to farmers in the delta region of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Karnataka government to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 27 starting Wednesday.
Earlier on Monday, the supervisory committee had fixed the quantum at 3,000 cusecs.
The apex court also directed the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Water Management Board within four weeks. The setting up of the board was mandated by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
“How long will the two states keep fighting? Cauvery Water Management Board is an expert body and it needs to be constituted,” the bench hearing the case said. The fresh impetus to setup the board comes as a major relief for Tamil Nadu. Once the board is set up, all four Cauvery reservoirs in Karnataka will come under the control of the board.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the verdict as ‘unimplementable’. He also called for an all-party meeting on Wednesday to chalk out the next step.
The response was completely different in Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court’s directive on the Cauvery Water Management Board was termed as a ‘historic verdict’ by political parties and farmers in the State.
They also urged the Centre to set up the board without any further delay.