Cauvery: Centre seeks 2 weeks time to prepare framework to implement verdict

The Centre has moved the Supreme Court seeking two weeks times to implement the Cauvery waters verdict. The centre said that it would need more time to come up with a framework on how to implement the Cauvery verdict that was delivered by the Supreme Court.

The court has said that it would hear the matter next on May 3. Tamil Nadu had sought a clarification from the SC on the implementation of the Cauvery Management Board. The verdict is however silent on the board but says that the Centre must come up with a framework to implement its order.

The court had said that the Centre must file a draft solution in connection with the Cauvery Waters case. The court was hearing a contempt plea filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the Centre on the Cauvery issue.

The plea states that the Centre failed to set up the Cauvery Management Board before the said deadline.

The draft would comprise the Centre plans to take on the distribution of water between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. The court criticised the Centre for neither framing the scheme in six weeks as directed by the court.

It also criticised the Centre for not approaching the court prior to the March 31 deadline to express its difficulty. The court said that the Centre had to frame the scheme and there is no escaping the task. Further, the court asked the competent authority to maintain peace in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu till it gave the approval for the scheme for the implementation of the Cauvery Waters verdict.

One the Centre places the draft scheme, which was set up the Cauvery Water Management Board and the Monitoring Authority for ensuring monthly releases, it would take the view of the states before approving it. The court also told Tamil Nadu that it agrees with the state's grievances and criticised the Centre for not acting with alacrity to frame the scheme. The Centre then sought time beyond March 12 for framing the scheme as elections were on in Karnataka. The court, however, asked the Centre to report to it by May 3.