Supreme Court asks Centre to file Cauvery management scheme by May 3

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the Centre for dragging its feet on implementing its Cauvery water-sharing order, after Tamil Nadu aired its grievance against neighbouring Karnataka for not releasing its share of the river water.

The court had in an order passed in February 2018, ordered the central government to come up with a scheme to implement its orders by March 31.

On Monday, the court told the central government in no uncertain terms that it could have moved the court again if it failed to stick to the deadline. “You did not move court before March 31telling us of any problems you face,” CJI Dipak Misra said.


“Frame a scheme by May 3. We don’t want the crisis to continue.” The Tamil Nadu government had at the outset through senior advocate Shekhar Naphade demanded to know what the game was. “The scheme will never be implemented,” he argued. “What is the game? This is what is happening.

Every time Karnataka will tell Tamil Nadu that there was deficit in rainfall and there is no water to release,” he charged.

Appearing for Karnataka, senior advocate Shyam Divan said the state could not release any water as it was a “distress” year. The central government, through Attorney General KK Venugopal, said it had tried to solve the problem. “But states must cooperate.”

The CJI, however, would not hear of his excuses. “Our order has merged with the Tribunal order. Frame a scheme to implement it. Let it be implemented. Work it on the ground,” the CJI, who was sitting alongside Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said.

The CJI had just days before assured the state of Tamil Nadu that it would take care of its interests. “We will ensure that you get your share of water,” the CJI had assured Naphade, who was being assisted by advocate G Umapathy.