Bengaluru: In a setback to the Karnataka government, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the state to release at least 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for next three days.
The apex court has further asked the Attorney General to facilitate a meeting between executive heads of two states and the Centre to resolve the deadlock.
The SC told the Siddaramaiah-led government to release 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu till September 29 and warned against any disobedience, stating that ‘it won’t be a solution in a federal structure’.
Yesterday, an aggrieved Karnataka had sought time till January from the Supreme Court to release more Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu as it needs the depleting quantity for drinking purpose.
The state had also substantiated its plea with the resolution of the state legislature passed unanimously on September 23, which resolved to use the water in the four reservoirs across the river basin for supplying drinking water to the region.
However, the top court has directed the state to release water to Tamil Nadu despite the Karnataka Assembly passing a resolution on the matter.
A division bench of the apex court resumed hearing in the case today.
Notably, Tamil Nadu had filed a counter-affidavit, complaining against Karnataka for not obeying its order to release water for irrigating samba inter-crop.
The next hearing in the case will be held on Friday.
Bureau Report
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