T.N. says Karnataka’s scant respect for CWMA’s orders has affected its Cauvery Basin farmers
The state of Tamil Nadu has petitioned the Supreme Court, accusing Karnataka of failing to comply with water release orders from the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The dispute has led to a severe agricultural crisis for farmers in the Cauvery Basin due to water shortages.
Why it matters
Water rights disputes between Indian states are critical issues that impact food security and regional political stability.
The State of Tamil Nadu, in the Supreme Court on Friday, expressed its frustration at Karnataka’s “scant respect” for the orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) in the face of a mounting water deficit even as the Southwest monsoon wanes, leaving in its wake an agricultural crisis.
Tamil Nadu, represented by senior advocate G. Umapathy and advocate B. Karunakaran, said the inaction of Karnataka and the failure of CWMA to ensure compliance of its decisions has seriously affected the interests of the farmers in its Cauvery Basin, who are totally dependent on the river’s waters.
The State, in an affidavit, said the storage in Mettur reservoir was only 29.60 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) as on October 9.
It said that after reserving water for drinking and environmental requirements and allowing for evaporation, the remaining water would be grossly insufficient to sustain irrigation for a prolonged period.
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