Karnataka oppn opposes release of water to TN
bengaluru — The opposition in Karnataka on Wednesday asked the state government at an all party meeting here not to release till Thursday 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court’s fresh order.
The state cabinet which would meet later in the day would take a final decision on the matter, Parliamentary Affairs and Law Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters after the meeting called by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the wake of the situation arising out of the apex court’s order on Tuesday.
Though the minister declined to divulge the views expressed by the opposition leaders, they later told the media that they have opposed release of water.
“The opposition — the BJP, the JDS and the Raitha Sangha — have expressed their views and we have > The Supreme Court has directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs water to Tamil Nadu till September 30. > The order came despite a resolution passed by the state heard them fully. Ultimately the cabinet will sit and take a decision,” he said. Floor leaders of both the Houses, MPs and legislators and district in charge ministers from the Cauvery basin attended the meeting to take stock of the fresh development.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit had directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs water to Tamil Nadu till September 30, despite a resolution passed by the state legislature legislature last week to use the water only for drinking purpose. > Opposition parties asked the state government during all party meeting not to release water till Thursday. last week to use the water only for drinking purpose.
The Centre has also called a meeting of the two warring riparian states in New Delhi on Thursday to thrash out a solution to the raging row over release of water.
Asked if any suggestions were made advising the government to defer release of water till Thursday, Jayachandra said he would not like to into the details for now. “No, I don’t want to go into the details. We have considered and we have heard them (The opposition and the legal experts). We will take a final decision in the cabinet,” Jayachandra said. Asked to react to the Opposition BJP Leader Jagadish Shettar’s suggestion not to release water Wednesday, Jayachandra said, “I wouldn’t like to comment on it now, but would do so after the cabinet meeting.”
On whether it would amount to contempt of court if Karnataka defers releasing water to Tamil Nadu, Jayachandra said, “At this point of time I do not want to react to it.”
Earlier, Shettar said the BJP has suggested that the government should honour the September 23 legislature resolution signalling Karnataka’s inability to implement the court’s earlier direction to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from September 21 till September 27. — PTI
Apex court orders release of water by Friday