Cauvery: SC tells Karnataka to file response to TN's writ

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the state of Karnataka to file its response within two weeks to the application of Tamil Nadu seeking to restrain the former from commissioning any new check dam or irrigation works in violation of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal Award, dated February 5 last year.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran issued notices to Karnataka on the application after hearing counsel for the state of Tamil Nadu, who contended that Karnataka was trying to illegally block the flow of Cauvery water through these check dams.

The applicant state has also prayed to the court to restrain Karnataka from desiltation of minor irrigation tanks in the Cauvery basin.

The apex court has already admitted the petitions filed by three riparian states--Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu--against the Tribunal Award.

UNI AKS/SC SBC AS1622