Cauvery appeal: What Karnataka, TN will submit in SC today

Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are expected to argue against the verdict of the Cauvery Waters Tribunal.

Updated: Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 12:52 [IST]

Bengaluru, Oct 18: When hearing on the Cauvery Waters issue resumes before a three-judge Bench in the Supreme Court, both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will argue against the verdict of the Cauvery Waters Tribunal granted on Feb 5, 2007.

Both states have filed special leave petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the award granted by the tribuna.

Karnataka will contend before the bench that methodology adopted by the tribunal in appropriating water to the states is wrong. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, will state that while the tribunal had held valid the agreements of 1892 and 1924 between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it did not protect the existing irrigation area in the Cauvery basin of TN.

Tamil Nadu will also contend that the tribunal reduced the area from 29.7 lakh acres to 24.70 acres. Tamil Nadu states that the tribunal had erred in granting new irrigation areas to Karnataka.

Karnataka, however, says that the final verdict of the tribunal is erroneous. A major share of the water will go to Tamil Nadu leaving almost six districts including Bengaluru without water for drinking or agriculture.

Also read: Cauvery row: Situation grim in Karnataka, TN; Mandya worst hit, says committee

The tribunal in its final award had determined the quantum of Cauvery water to be utilised at 740 tmcft. Karnataka is entitled to 270 tmcft, Tamil Nadu to 419 tmcft, Kerala 30 tmcft, Puducherry 7 tmcft and 14 tmcft is meant for environmental purposes, the tribunal had said.

Apart from this, the Bench will also take up the report filed by the technical committee on Monday. The committee had said that the situation in both states is grim. It said that Mandya in Karnataka was the worst hit and had reported several suicides.

Karnataka will also argue against the constitution of a Cauvery Management Board. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is in favour the board. Meanwhile, the centre has said the matter pertaining to the constitution of a board is the job of the legislature.

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