DMK Moves Supreme Court Over Karnataka's Cauvery Water Release

• DMK MP and senior counsel P Wilson files an application with the Supreme Court seeking urgent release of Cauvery River water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, with Thiru AKS Vijayan representing DMK as an affected party.
• Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) ordered Karnataka to release 3500 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
• Karnataka has not released the water despite decisions of statutory authorities, with state representatives saying they will not release the water.

The DMK's application may set a precedent for future water releases and have implications for existing irrigation projects in the Cauvery basin.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has filed an application with the Supreme Court, seeking urgent release of Cauvery River water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. The DMK is represented in this application by Thiru AKS Vijayan, who is directly affected by the non-release of Cauvery water as he owns agricultural lands in the Cauvery Delta. This move comes after the recent directions of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), which ordered Karnataka to release 3500 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu dates back to 1974, when Karnataka started diverting water without Tamil Nadu's consent. The final order of the Tribunal stipulates monthly flows to be ensured by Karnataka at Biligundlu during June to January every year. In the current water year, the South-West Monsoon has been deficient in the Cauvery basin, resulting in dismal low flows realized at Biligundlu - only about 10% of what is stipulated for the period.

The DMK's application to the Supreme Court may set a precedent for future water releases and have implications for existing irrigation projects in the Cauvery basin. The current situation highlights the significance of this period, as nearly 3/4th of the annual quantum of 167.25 TMC is required to be realized at Biligundlu between June-September. This is crucial for the Kuruvai paddy crop and Samba crop operations in Tamil Nadu.

Lawyers advising clients in the Cauvery basin should monitor the Supreme Court's decision on DMK's application, as it may set a precedent for future water releases and have implications for existing irrigation projects.

Source: Original reporting via Briefly