Karnataka to wait for Supreme Court hearing before deciding on Cauvery water release

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court hearing on the Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu on Thursday before taking a view on the matter.

Tamil Nadu has moved SC seeking a direction to Karnataka to honour the directions given by Cauvery Water Regulation Authority (CWRA) and Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) from time to time. The state may also argue for other relief.

Karnataka minister Ramalinga Reddy told ET the government had taken a call to wait for the outcome of SC hearing scheduled for Thursday. The state will have the option to pursue the case and appeal in case of an adverse outcome, he said.


Chief minister DK Shivakumar consulted Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues, senior officials and legal experts on Wednesday on CWMA's direction to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

CWMA on Tuesday affirmed CWRA's order directing Karnataka to ensure 12,000 cusecs at Biligundlu from 8 am on Wednesday for 15 days. The state Cabinet will discuss the issue on Thursday. Karnataka had sought a review of the order, citing severe hydrological stress, but was unsuccessful.