Reconsider CWMA orders on release of Cauvery water: Karnataka in plea to SC

The plea maintained that Karnataka had more than fulfilled its obligations as per the last three CWMA directions, and called the present orders 'unjust and perverse'.

In a fresh plea, the Karnataka government on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to direct the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to reconsider its orders on the release of Cauvery river water, claiming that these orders were perverse, illegal and liable to be set aside.

Maintaining that it has ensured 19,404 cusecs more than what the CWMA had ordered in its previous three directions, the state government sought a direction for reconsideration of all orders including the September 18 order for release of 5,000 cusecs of water up to September 27 as "unjust and perverse".

"This water year of 2023-24 has begun on a bad note. The South-West monsoon which feeds the catchment in Karnataka has failed miserably," it states.

The state government further contended that the cumulative inflows into Karnataka's four reservoirs from June 1, 2023 to September 18, 2023 stood at 110.875 tmc, whereas the average of last 30 years has been 238.055 tmc.

"Therefore, even at the reservoir level itself, which covers a part of the catchment, the shortfall is 53.42 percent. If the shortfall is considered up to the interstate border, Biligundlu, where flows are accountable, shortfall and distress would be much more than 53.42 percent," it said.

The plea asked the court to remand the matter back to the CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority.

The Karnataka govt asked whether distress in the Cauvery basin can be assessed only on the basis of inflows into four reservoirs in the State of Karnataka since the said four reservoirs cover only a small catchment of 12,761 sq km, against the catchment up to the interstate border Biligundlu which cover 36,682 sq km and the catchment of the whole basin up to Lower Coleroon Anicut in the State of Tamil Nadu which cover 81,155 sq km.

It asked whether the State of Karnataka can be directed to ensure water without assessing its minimum requirement for crops, drinking water including drinking water of Bengaluru city in times of drought, and whether the State of Tamil Nadu should be penalised for injudicious use of water as communicated by the representative of the Union of India in the 23rd meeting held on August 29, 2023.

Meanwhile, intervention applications have been filed by Vivek Subba Reddy, senior advocate, and other resident associations of Bengaluru, namely Sankey Udaynavana Nadigegarara Sangha, seeking preservation of Cauvery water for the city in accordance with the projected requirement as it is the economic hub of the world. They contended the city cannot afford water shortages, which could cause its infrastructure to collapse.