Cauvery: Karnataka gets more water

Decision may boost Cong chances in K’taka assembly poll later this year

NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday marginally increased Karnataka’s share of Cauvery water and ordered a reduction in the allocation for Tamil Nadu, settling a protracted dispute that has roiled southern India for more than two decades.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said Karnataka will be required to release 177.25 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water from its Billigundlu site to Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu. The earlier requirement, under a February 2007 award by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), was 192 tmcft.

“Waters of an inter-state river passing through corridors of the riparian states constitute a national asset and no single state can claim exclusive ownership of its water,” the court held.

The SC largely upheld the 2007 tribunal decision and said the water allocation arrangement will exist for 15 years. The tribunal’s order is binding, it added.

The allocation for Kerala and Puducherry remained unchanged.

“In totality, we deem it appropriate to award to the state of Karnataka an additional 14.75 TMC of water, i.e., 10 TMC (on account of availability of ground water in Tamil Nadu) + 4.75 TMC (for drinking and domestic purposes including such need for the whole city of Bengaluru),” the court said.

In February 2017, the CWDT had determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 tmcft. In a unanimous award, the tribunal allocated 419 tmcft of water for Tamil Nadu, 270 tmcft for Karnataka, 30 tmcft for Kerala and seven tmcft for Puducherry. It reserved 10 tmcft for environment protection and four tmcft for natural outlets into sea.

All states had challenged the tribunal award before the SC, which reserved its judgement four months ago. After Friday’s verdict, Karnataka’s share goes up to 284.75tmcft and Tamil Nadu’s will now be 404.25tmcft.

The 802-kilometre long river originates in Talacauvery in Kodagu district of Karnataka and flows mainly through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with its basin covering parts of Kerala and Puducherry.

For Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, the Cauvery verdict could not have come at a better time.

The Supreme Court’s decision to increase the state’s share of water, and provide special relief to capital Bengaluru is a relief for the senior Congress leader and might just boost his prospects in assembly elections later this year.

“The judgment has partly allowed our appeal and has also taken the groundwater availability in the delta region of Tamil Nadu into consideration. It has also changed the tribunal decision that only one-third of Bengaluru, which comes under the Cauvery basin, should get water,” Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka irrigation minister MB Patil welcomed the decision but said the state’s demands had only partially been met.

“The additional 4.75 thousand million cubic feet of water for Bengaluru will not suffice and we will consult with the legal team on the way forward.”

Former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa called for a plan to utilise the increased quantum of water in a judicious manner.

“Supreme Court’s verdict on the Cauvery is welcome and will help our farmers and ease Bengaluru’s drinking water problem.”

Siddaramaiah, who joined the Congress in 2006, is vying for re-election on a plank of farmer welfare and overall development.

He faces the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular), the party he left more than a decade ago.

The Cauvery basin accounts for 60 seats of the 224 seats in the assembly. The Congress won 30 of these in 2013.

Political analyst Narendar Pani, faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, said the verdict was already being credited to Siddaramaiah’s stewardship. “The immediate impression is that Siddaramaiah managed to get Karnataka the increased quantum of water,” he said.

According to Pani, as the legal strategy belonged to the state, the Supreme Court decision will be seen as a victory of the government.

“Politically, it is a big victory for him as the Cauvery has a very emotive appeal in this area,” he added.

The judgment has partly allowed our appeal and has also taken the groundwater availability in the delta region of Tamil Nadu into consideration. SIDDARAMAIAH, Karnataka chief minister