Cauvery row: SC directs release of 12,000 cusecs till Sept 20

New Delhi, Sept 12: The Supreme Court on Monday modified its order and directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu until Sept 20.

Karnataka had sought modification of an earlier SC order which had ordered it to release 15,000 cusecs of water for ten days. The court, however, refused to keep in abeyance its earlier order.

The court noted that it would take up the matter on September 20 at 2 PM in which the problem of the farmers and the one relating to drinking water would be taken up.

The Bench comprising Justices Dipak Mishra and UU Lalit while passing the order of modification observed that they were inclined to do so.

During the course of the arguments, Karnataka represented by senior counsel Fali S Nariman asked the Supreme Court to suspend its Sept 5 order in which the release of Cauvery water to Tamil nadu was made. Karnataka also told the SC that the agony claimed by Tamil Nadu on a water crisis is not true.

When Nariman said that as a result of the Sept 5 order, there were protests in the state, the Bench said, "You cannot take the ground that there is huge public agitation in the state. This is not permissible in court."

The Bench also while taking objection to the non-implementation of the order said, "Once order is passed, either comply or seek modification. No one can take law into their hands."

Further the Bench also stated that citizens and executives of the country must accept and obey orders of the Supreme Court unless it is modified.

Karnataka told the court that it has already released 16,506 and 34,529 cusecs to TN as on September 10. Karnataka then asked the court to restrict the release of water to 6,000 cusecs for the next six days.

OneIndia News