Karna to consult legal experts on SC Cauvery tribunal order

Jagadish Shettar said he would consult legal experts on the SC`s directive to notify the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar today said he would consult legal experts on the Supreme Court directive to the Centre to notify the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by February 20 and decide on future course of action. Reacting to the apex court`s order, Shettar said he would also elicit the opinion of all political parties on the issue.

The Chief Minister noted he had already written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to notify the tribunal order till the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict on the state`s petition challenging the tribunal award. He said he would consult advocates who represent Karnataka in the Supreme Court. Ticking off the Centre for "flouting the law" for the last five years, the Supreme Court today set a February 20 deadline to notify Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award which laid down the quantum of water to be shared by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. The court also directed Karnataka to release 2 TMC feet of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to save standing crops. PTI