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Karnataka has deferred its decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till Thursday despite a Supreme Court order to release 6,000 cusecs of water for three days beginning Wednesday.
The State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, took the decision to defer the release of water by a day to wait for the outcome of the riparian States’ meet convened by the Centre on Thursday.
“All parties have advised the government to wait till the outcome of the meeting of representatives of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu being convened by Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti in New Delhi on Thursday,” he added.
The Chief Minister maintained that there was no intention of disrespecting the Supreme Court. “We know the consequences of going against Supreme Court orders, and also going against legislature resolution.”
He pointed it out that the apex court had said that the water release stipulated by it could be adjusted against future releases.
“Tomorrow, I am going to New Delhi to attend the meeting called by the Union Minister. I will be presenting the ground realities. We don’t want to disrespect the judicial order, but since we have no water we are taking this decision,” said Siddaramaiah.
All-party meet unanimousEarlier in the day, the all-party meeting convened to discuss Tuesday’s Supreme Court order advised the Karnataka government not to release water till the executive heads of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka meet and take stock of the situation.
It was of the opinion that the future course of action should be based on the outcome of that meeting alone.
Jagadish Shettar, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly said: “Until talks are held between the executive heads of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that is scheduled on Thursday, the government should not release Cauvery water.”
JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy said: “We have made our stand clear that water should not be released. Our party’s view is that it is not necessary to release the water to Tamil Nadu now.”
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