CM "betrayed" TN on Cauvery issue: Jaya

Chennai, Apr 29 (UNI) AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa today charged DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi with having 'betrayed' the state and its people by not filing an appeal before the Supreme Court against the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) even as Karnataka moved the Apex Court in this regard.

In a statement here, she challenged Mr Karunanidhi to give an assurance in the Assembly that Karnataka would release 205 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu as per the Tribunal award, from June 12.

She also wanted him to announce in the Assembly, on the mode of punishment he would accept if he failed in securing the prescribed quantity of water.

The AIADMK leader wanted to know from Mr Karunanidhi as to how many years it would take for the final settlement of the issue before the Tribunal.

She said while Karnataka moved an appeal in the Supreme Court, Mr Karunanidhi approached the Tribunal.

''Will Mr Karunanidhi be able to transfer an appeal filed by any aggrieved party before the Supreme Court to the Tribunal?'' she asked.

When the AIADMK staged agitation and urged the Centre to notify the final award in the gazette, Mr Karunanidhi said the gazette notification would be possible only after 90 days.

Stating the 90-day period would be expiring on May 5, she asked the Chief Minister whether he would exert pressurise the Centre to notify the Tribunal award.

She said in its final verdict, the CWDT had suggested that dams and reservoirs in Karnataka would be brought under an autonomous corporation-- Cauvery Management Board-- and to ensure equitable distribution of water, there should be another committee-- Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.

Ms Jayalalithaa wanted Mr Karunanidhi to announce as to when the suggestions of the Tribunal would be implemented.

UNI