Karnataka, Tamil Nadu clash over Cauvery issue in Supreme Court

The Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments stuck to their official position on sharing of the Cauvery river water, while waiting for the Centre to set up a board that will determine the modalities of sharing the water.

A three-judge bench led by CJI Dipak Misra had on May 3 asked Karnataka to release more water to Tamil Nadu or face contempt action.

However, on Monday, pollbound Karnataka struck to its stand that it had already released water in excess of what it could in a ‘distress year’ after it had received less rainfall than expected. The state said it had released 116.697 thousand million cubic feet as opposed to the 100.04 tmcf required under the Cauvery Tribunal order.


However, TN, the lower riparian state which had moved a contempt petition against the Centre for failing to set up a water management board to iron out the actual sharing of water on the ground contended that there was a drinking water shortage and demanded more water. The state accused Karnataka of acting like a judge in its own cause, and flouting court orders.

The affidavits from both states came ahead of a crucial hearing on the issue. At the last hearing, the bench had brushed off the Centre’s request that the issue be postponed till Karnataka elections were over as the PM and his Cabinet were away campaigning in the state. The bench, however, demanded a response from the attorney-general on Monday.