Cauvery: Karnataka CM Shivakumar to decide next steps after legal advice, all-party meeting

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Friday that Karnataka would decide its next course of action on the Cauvery water dispute only after consulting legal experts and opposition leaders at an all-party meeting scheduled for Sunday.

The CM said the state filed a review petition before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) after the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directed Karnataka to ensure a daily flow of 3,500 cusecs to Tamil Nadu at Biligundlu for 15 days.

"Our officers, Advocate General and legal team strongly argued Karnataka's case. We sought a reduction in the quantity of water to be released or, at least, a deferment of the order to review the hydrological situation. But Tamil Nadu sought a higher release," he said.


The CM rejected criticism that Karnataka failed to adequately present its case before the CWMA, saying the government retained the same technical advisers who represented the state during the previous BJP government.

Shivakumar said reservoir inflows improved in recent days but remained below normal. Harangi reservoir was at 95% of capacity, Kabini 83%, Hemavathi 67% and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) 36%, he said, adding that all data was available in the public domain.

"It is the government's responsibility to protect farmers' interests while ensuring drinking water security. We will safeguard both," the CM said.

He said Karnataka received cooperation from Union ministers, MPs and leaders across party lines. Union ministers Pralhad Joshi, V Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje took up Karnataka's concerns with the Centre after examining the state's review petition, he added.

The CM said Tamil Nadu originally sought 9.94 tmc ft of water, while the CWRC directed Karnataka to release about half that quantity. "Reservoir inflows have improved over the last two to three days. We will hear the views of legal experts, former chief ministers, MPs and opposition leaders before taking any decision," he said.

Appealing against the proposed statewide bandh on August 13, the CM said such protests would only inconvenience the public and would not help resolve the dispute.

"We are committed to protecting Karnataka's interests. There is no need for a bandh," he said.

The CM reiterated that there would be no drinking water crisis in the state. Karnataka requires around 40 tmc ft to meet drinking water needs until next summer, including about 4 tmc ft lost to evaporation, he said. Any surplus water would be shared in accordance with the Cauvery water-sharing formula.

Regarding the proposed August 3 meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the CM said he requested that it be deferred due to prevailing tensions in Karnataka. "We should resolve the issue through dialogue and goodwill. We will take the next decision only after consulting legal experts and political leaders," he said.