CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) direction to ensure a daily release of 6,000 cusecs of water at Biligundulu from Sept 9 to 23. The state has also sought directions to Karnataka to immediately make good, on a pro-rata basis, the shortfall of 16tmcft in water release between June 1 and Sept 9.The state claimed that it had received only 125 mm of rainfall, 43% below normal, and was facing greater water distress than the upper catchment areas in Karnataka and Kerala.In a letter to the CWMA on Sept 12, Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka had failed to comply with the authority’s direction to ensure a flow of 6,000 cusecs for 15 days from Sept 9. The state said the average flow at Biligundulu was 4,218 cusecs on Sept 9, 2,412 cusecs on Sept 10 and 1,695 cusecs on Sept 11.In its application, Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka, despite having sufficient inflows, had repeatedly failed to comply with the orders. “The govt of Karnataka and its officials, in utter disregard of the directions, have failed to comply with the directions of this court and the statutory authority,” Tamil Nadu said, contending that the non-compliance had severely affected farmers in the Cauvery basin.It submitted that any violation of the Supreme Court’s orders or the CWMA’s directions could amount to wilful disobedience and contempt of court.The state said the kuruvai crop had been badly affected as the Mettur dam could not be opened in June. It added that the long-term samba crop could not be brought under irrigation. The dam was opened only on Sept 1. The application said the available water reserves could support irrigation for only another 25 to 30 days.Tamil Nadu contended that Karnataka’s refusal to release water as directed by the CWMA, on the pretext of reserving available storage for its year-round needs, was unjustified.It said the four reservoirs would continue to receive inflows during the northeast monsoon and, therefore, there was no need to reserve water for drinking-water needs for the entire year. “It is only a ploy of Karnataka to deny the due share to Tamil Nadu and the accumulated backlog,” it said.
