JOIN USTamil Nadu on Thursday approached the Supreme Court reiterating its plea for direction to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for implementation of 2007 award on the river water dispute.
“The present application is filed only to safeguard the rights of millions of farmers of Tamil Nadu depending on the age-old irrigation systems, so that the Cauvery Management Board is constituted and the final order is implemented in letter and spirit,” it said, in a rejoinder affidavit filed in the apex court.
It also questioned the plea made by Karnataka that the state was entitled to take up the construction of any project after ensuring 192 TMC ft water to Tamil Nadu in a normal year.
Karnataka duty-bound
“Karnataka is duty-bound to ensure pro rata releases in case of shortfall and the Cauvery Management Boardto be set up by the central government for implementation of the final order would make adequate provisions for such releases,” TN said.
The Jayalalithaa-led state government contended that the Karnataka government proposed to start new schemes which were not contemplated in the final award to utilise the river water. Three reservoirs proposed near Mekedatu were to be built across the river — which was illegal, besides it would also affect irrigation in Tamil Nadu, the application had alleged.
“The contention that the proposed expenditure on hydro-electric projects does not affect the interest of Tamil Nadu is denied as Karnataka would in future claim a fait accompli situation in respect of such projects not permitted by the tribunal in its final order,” the application said. As per the current irrigation year of 2013-2014, Tamil Nadu claimed that until June 24 last, Karnataka did not release any water even though it had received an inflow of 26 TMC ft and releases were started only from June 25 last when its Kabini reservoir reached near about full reservoir level and received heavy inflows which could not be impounded.