SC tells Centre to ready Cauvery plan byMay3
WATER ROW Says Karnataka elections cannot be a factor, orders states to maintain peace NEWDELHI:
The Supreme Court on Monday gave the Centre time till May 3 to come with a plan to implement its judgment on the distribution of Cauvery waters, pulling up the government for failing to comply with the order passed almost two months ago.
It also directed authorities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to ensure peace as water distribution remains an emotive issue.
Protests are being held across Tamil Nadu, demanding that the Centre set up the Cauvery management board (CMB) in accordance with the February 16 order of the court on water sharing with neighbouring Karnataka. “We are surprised that the Centre has not taken any steps. The Centre must place a draft scheme before us by May 3 so that a final stamp is put on it to end the controversy,” a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said.
The court said it was anguished and surprised that the Centre has not taken any steps to implement the verdict. “We put in a lot of effort and struggled with the case. You (Centre) have to implement it now,” the bench told attorney general KK Venugopal who pressed for a direction on Centre’s application.
“You must show your bona fide that you will frame a scheme to respect the top court order for the distribution of water,” said the bench, which has justice AM Khanwilkar and justice DY Chandrachud as the other members.
The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government that said despite the SC directions to set up CMB and a monitoring authority within six weeks of the judgment, the Centre had done little on that front. Tamil Nadu also opposed the Centre’s plea for extension of the deadline for implementing the judgment citing assembly elections in Karnataka, which are to be held on May 12.
Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade on behalf of Tamil Nadu feared calling for a draft scheme from the Centre will provoke another round of litigation.