The Supreme Court of India has advised the Tamil Nadu government to present its concerns regarding Cauvery water allocation to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). This comes amid claims that Karnataka has not been releasing Tamil Nadu’s rightful share of water from the Cauvery River.
Supreme Court’s Directive
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta was in session to hear Tamil Nadu’s plea, which urged for a directive mandating Karnataka to release the state’s due share of water. The counsel representing Tamil Nadu emphasized the urgent need for the state to receive its proportionate water share, stating, “We have to receive proportionate quantity or water, that is unfortunately not happening.”
During proceedings, the bench noted that Tamil Nadu had already received water in line with the CWMA’s directives, as previously observed by the Court. “You have already received the water as directed by CWMA,” remarked the bench. Nonetheless, Tamil Nadu’s counsel argued that the CWMA had not instructed the release of the full proportionate quantity required.
Historical Context and Ongoing Dispute
The long-standing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water can be traced back to agreements made in 1892 and 1924 between the Madras Presidency and the Princely State of Mysore. Despite several negotiation attempts, the conflict persisted, leading to the establishment of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by the Supreme Court. In 2007, the Tribunal awarded Tamil Nadu a defined daily water allocation.
However, disagreements ensued as both states sought reviews of the Tribunal’s decision. In 2016, Tamil Nadu petitioned the Supreme Court after Karnataka claimed an inability to share additional water from its reservoir, prompting the Supreme Court to instruct the central government to form the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).
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In 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea from Tamil Nadu to increase its current allocation from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs (cubic feet per second) per day. In addition to the Cauvery dispute, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are embroiled in another water-sharing conflict regarding the Pennaiyar River, with Tamil Nadu initiating an original suit in the Supreme Court against Karnataka and the central government.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court has advised Tamil Nadu to address its concerns with the CWMA, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on August 31. The ongoing legal battle underscores the complexities of inter-state water sharing and the role of judicial intervention in such disputes.
