Bengaluru: Once again, it is a setback for Karnataka in Cauvery water dispute. The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release more water from the River Cauvery to Tamil Nadu. The apex court asked the Attorney General (AG) to facilitate a meeting between executive heads of the two states and the Centre to resolve the Cauvery impasse.
Karnataka had urged the Supreme Court to modify its September 20th order, directing it to release 6,000 cusecs of water per day. Tamil Nadu had also filed an application praying for the Supreme Court to not hear Karnataka for its “conscious refusal” to release water, or till it is fully implemented the apex court’s directions.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary, Digvijay Singh demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. “The Supreme Court has given its verdict based on the documents submitted by Tamil Nadu. Karnataka legislature had passed a resolution expressing inability to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu based on the ground reality. Disputes like Cauvery and Mahadayi are long-standing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and Goa. I want the Prime Minister to intervene to find an amicable solution to the water dispute between the states,’’ Digvijay Singh said.
Digvijay Singh, who is in Bengaluru to attend the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) executive committee meeting said that Congress stands behind Siddaramaiah’s government in Cauvery dispute. It may recall the special session of legislature convened on September 23 to discuss the impact of Supreme Court’s recent order to Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu where it passed a resolution stating that water is needed for drinking purposes in the state. While participating in the debate in the Assembly, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said that the resolution of the legislature should not construe against the judiciary. In his speech, laced with little bit emotion and passion, Siddaramaiah said that he had already obeyed the Supreme Court orders dated on September 5 and 12. JD(S), BJP and other political parties have supported the government’s decision not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, the police have beefed up security in Bengaluru to prevent any untoward incidents in the wake of Supreme Court’s latest order. The Police Commissioner had already imposed prohibitory orders in the city to maintain law and order. Forty platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 40 platoons of City Armed Reserve (CAR) police were kept ready to maintain the same.
