Karnataka says Tamil Nadu got more Cauvery water

Bangalore, May 31: Karnataka government today sought to hit back at its Tamil Nadu counterpart for seeking around Rs 2,500 crore damages from the state vis-a-vis Cauvery dispute, saying its neighbour got more water than required for its 'Samba' and 'Kuruvai' crops.

"We have data and information to demonstrate that, in the Water Year 2012-13, Tamil Nadu got more water than required for its Samba and Kuruvai rice crops at the cost of our crops in drought-affected area in the Cauvery Basin in Karnataka", Water Resources Minister M B Patil said.

Noting that Tamil Nadu has filed Original suit claiming monetary damages, the Minister said in a statement: "As and when summons are issued, proper response on behalf of Karnataka will be filed by our legal team".

Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court seeking Rs 2,479 crore from Karnataka for loss of crops due to non-release of Cauvery water during the irrigation year 2012-13 as per the interim award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Tamil Nadu has sought Rs 1,045.7 crore towards loss of crops, bio-mass and power generation due to non-release of water as per the Interim Order and Rs 1,434 crore as punitive damages for "deliberate non-compliance" of the decision passed by the Tribunal.

PTI