Release 2,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till further orders, Supreme Court to Karnataka

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Karnataka government to keep releasing 2,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu till further orders.

SC directed both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to maintain peace and harmony in their states.

On Monday, a high-level panel suggested doing away with "outdated and unscientific water application techniques" to resolve the Cauvery wrangle, saying both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were facing water shortage, creating unemployment and financial hardship for the people.

The apex court-appointed Supervisory Committee, formed to inspect Cauvery basin to assess the ground realities in the region, said the neighbouring riparian states needed to appreciate interest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to protect their established irrigation and Karnataka's aspirations for development and educate their people accordingly.

The 9-member committee in its 40-page report has noted that farmers in both states were in severe distress and adequate crop compensation must be provided to them.

Menwhile, mass rail blockades by opposition parties and farmers continued for the second day on Tuesday at various places across the state over the Cauvery issue.

Police detained Tamil Maanila Congress leader GK Vasan and about 300 farmers for staging protests.

Leading an agitation at the Egmore Railway station here, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, along with several workers including those from the Left parties, blocked an express train.