Karnataka Assembly passes resolution to release water to farmers in Cauvery basin

Bengaluru: In a decision that may put the tiff between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Cauvery waters to an end, the Karnataka assembly, Monday, passed a resolution unanimously to release water to farmers in the Cauvery basin.

The resolution says that water will be released to farmers for their crops and drinking water requirements. Though the modified resolution did not mention Tamil Nadu, it is implied that some of the water will go to the neighbouring state.

The resolution comes after the Supreme Court had warned the Karnataka of consequences if it fails to abide by its latest order to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Interestingly, both the Houses of the state legislature had on September 23 mandated through a resolution that water should be used only for drinking purpose, and not be spared for any other use.

Also, even after the latest SC order asking Karnataka government to release 6,000 cusecs of water, the Siddaramaih government had publicly refused to budge from its stand on no water to release any water to the neighbouring state.

The state also questioned the constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board and decided to file a review petition in this regard on Monday.

Taking Karnataka to task for its repeated "defiance" by flouting its orders on release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and giving it a last chance, the Supreme Court had asked it to discharge 6,000 cusecs from October 1 to 6, warning no one would know when the "wrath of the law" would fall on it.

The court had also directed the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Water Management Board by October 4.

"We have not defied the orders of the Supreme Court... There is no willful disobedience or deliberate disobedience," Siddaramaiah had said.