Karnataka to challenge Cauvery panel order in SC

Bengaluru: Karnataka would challenge the Cauvery Supervisory Committee's Monday order to release more water to Tamil Nadu in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, said state Home Minister G. Parameshwara.

"As the committee's order to release 3,000 cusecs daily for 10 days from September 21-30 is disappointing and a blow to our interests, we have decided to challenge it in the Supreme Court on Tuesday," Parameshwara told reporters here.

The panel's order comes into force after the state would complete releasing 12,000 cusecs daily on Tuesday as per the apex court's September 12 order, which is a modification of its September 5 directive to release 15,000 cusecs daily for 10 days from September 7.

"Our state is repeatedly facing injustice. The chief minister and the cabinet will decide the next course of action after Tuesday's hearing in the apex court. We will plead for relief as we are not in a position to release more water due to distress and have just enough to meet for drinking water till June next," said Paremeshwara.

The panel's directive came earlier in the day after the two warring states failed to reach a consensus on the quantum of water to be shared during distress due to deficit rains and lower levels in the four reservoirs across the river basin this year.

State water resources department officials, however, said as 3,000-5,000 cusecs flows daily to Biligundlu on the inter-state border where the release is measured, owing to gravity, ground water and downstream, additional water may not have to be released from the depleted reservoirs of Kabini, KRS, Haranghi and Hemavathy.

The panel's order sparked protests in the region, especially at Mandya, about 100km from here, by farmers and traders, which led to blocking of vehicular traffic between Bengaluru and Mysuru.

"We have intensified security and stepped up vigil to prevent any untoward incident in the wake of the panel's order and the hearing in the Supreme Court on Tuesday," the minister said after a meeting with the top police brass in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Police also banned sale of liquor and opening of bars, wine shops and pubs on Tuesday in and around the city.