CWMA Upholds Decision To Send 3,000 Cusecs Cauvery Water To Tamil Nadu, Setback for Karnataka

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on Friday directed the Karnataka government to adhere to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) mandate, which requires the daily release of 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu until October 15.

In the meeting held on Friday, the Tamil Nadu government emphasized the necessity of receiving 12,500 cusecs of water from Karnataka to safeguard the state's crops. In response, the Karnataka government had previously approached the CWMA, citing insufficient water reserves in the state's four reservoirs to fulfill both irrigation and drinking water requirements.

Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, stated, "Today, a meeting took place with the Cauvery Management Authority, during which we presented all the pertinent information. I will be convening a meeting with retired Supreme Court Judges today. Following these discussions and consultations with our legal team, we will explore the possibility of raising this matter in the Supreme Court. Our course of action will be determined after these deliberations. We will await the outcomes."

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said there was no need for a bandh over Cauvery row as his government is protecting the interests of the State.

A Karnataka bandh, called by various pro-Kannada organisations along with farmers' outfits, was observed today to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

''There was no need for bandh, which some organisations have called,'' Shivakumar told reporters here.

He said the government is protecting the interests of the state.

The Deputy CM, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, said the government ensured that no one faced hardship during the bandh which he added was peaceful, and vehicles plied and shops were open at many places as usual.