Karnataka allowed irrigation in 18.85 lakh acres

New Delhi, Feb 6: The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in its final order has allowed cultivation in 18.85 lakh acres for Karnataka lifting off the ceiling of 11.20 lakh acres imposed in the Interim Order.

The detailed report/order numbering over 1,100 pages was provided to the states concerned this morning at the CWDT office has recognised the cultivation in 24.71 lakh acres for Tamil Nadu which earlier had no restriction in using Cauvery waters for irrigation.

Tamil Nadu has been assured of 419 tmc of water in the total share of 740 tmc in Cauvery leaving 270 tmc for Karnataka, 30 tmc for Kerala and five tmc for the Union Territory of Puducherry in the final order pronounced by the CWDT yesterday.

The area under irrigation in Karnataka in pre-1924 agreement was 3.43 lakh acres and 6.91 in post 1924 agreement.

The CWDT which spoke of a Regulatory Authority in the operative portion of the final order has directed that the Authority be chaired by an official not less than the rank of a Superintending Engineer from the Central Water Commission (CWC). The Authority will have members drawn from all the basin states and one more member from the CWC not below the rank of a Superintending Engineer.

This authority now seeks to replace the existing Cauvery River Authority headed by the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of the states as members.

While the final order speaks of proportional reduction in the states' share in the year of distress, the upper riparian state will be entitled to use the excess water after releasing the prescribed quantum to the river.

UNI

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