Cauvery crop loss: SC tells TN, Karnataka to file affidavits of witnesses

The Supreme Court on Monday directed Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to file affidavits of the witnesses to be examined in the former's plea seeking about Rs 2,500 crore compensation for crops losses suffered due to Karnataka not releasing Cauvery river water in 2012-13.

A bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit gave four weeks time to both the states to file their documents in determination of the original suit filed by Tamil Nadu. The suit has been pending in the apex court since May 2013. Senior advocate Subramaniam Prasad, appearing for Tamil Nadu and senior advocate F S Nariman, representing Karnataka, sought time for the purpose. The court put the matter for consideration after five weeks.

Tamil Nadu has sought compensation for non-implementation of the order for release of Cauvery river water. Karnataka, for its part, had claimed that it had released water as per the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, even though its people suffered shortage of drinking water.

CM reacts
In Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the state’s legal team will look into Tamil Nadu’s petition claiming compensation from Karnataka for not releasing Cauvery river water properly.

The Tamil Nadu government has filed such petitions in the past also. Karnataka’s legal team will look into the petition by Tamil Nadu, he told journalists who sought his reaction to Tamil Nadu’s move.