This is your final warning, release water to TN: SC to Karnataka
- Karnataka ordered to release 6000 cusecs as a 'last warning'
- The court has fixed the next date of hearing on October 6
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Refusing to consider Karnataka’s stand to use water for state’s drinking purpose only, the Supreme Court directed the state to release 36,000 cusecs of water (6,000 cusecs every day for six days) to Tamil Nadu. The Apex Court also directed the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board by October 4.
Referring to the Article 144 of IPC Assembly decision of Karnataka, the Court warned that all states in India are required to follow the verdicts of the apex court. Thus Karnataka also should implement the order.
The Supreme Court also strongly warned Karnataka, telling the state that this was its last chance to release water. If the state fails to do so, the Court warned that it would begin the process of slapping Contempt of Court against the state. The Court stated that Karnataka was causing harm to the Court's dignity by not implementing its verdict.
The two-judge bench consisting of Justices Deepak Misra and UU Lalith said that next hearing of the Supreme Court would be held on October 6 at 2 pm.
To add to Karnataka's woes, advocate Fali S Nariman had declined to argue Karnataka's side on Friday.
Nariman said that “I have repeatedly written to the Karnataka Chief Minister that by not following the Court’s order Karnataka was flouting the Court’s rule. Still, the state continued to stand by its decision of not releasing water. So, I have decided not to argue for Karnataka today (on Friday).”
Karnataka Water Resources Minister MB Patil said that decision on appointing another advocate to represent Karnataka would be taken after consulting legal advisers.
Danger of Cauvery Management Board
The Supreme Court directed the four regions using Cauvery river water- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala to select their representatives and send the list to the authorities concerned, after which the Cauvery Management Board will be constituted by the Centre.
The Board will visit the contending states – Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on October 5, take stock of the situation and present the facts before the Supreme Court on October 6.
