The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court seeking urgent directions to Karnataka to implement a decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directing the release of Cauvery River water to the State.
In its application, the State, represented by the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government, has sought enforcement of the CWMA’s decision dated July 30, under which Karnataka was directed to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days from the Kabini and Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoirs.
Tamil Nadu has alleged that Karnataka has failed to comply with the Authority’s decision despite the statutory mechanism established for regulating the sharing of Cauvery waters. It has urged the apex court to issue appropriate directions to ensure adherence to the CWMA’s order and the water-sharing framework laid down pursuant to the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in the long-running inter-State River dispute.
According to the plea, the non-release of water has adversely affected irrigation in the Cauvery delta region, where farmers depend on timely water supplies for the ongoing cultivation season. The State has argued that continued non-compliance with the CWMA’s directions defeats the purpose of the regulatory mechanism created under the Cauvery Water Management Scheme to ensure equitable distribution of river waters among the basin States.
The Cauvery dispute has remained one of India’s longest-running inter-State River water conflicts. Following the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict, the Centre constituted the CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to oversee implementation of the Court’s directions and monitor reservoir levels and water releases.
The latest application underscores the recurring disagreements between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the quantum and timing of water releases, particularly during periods of lower rainfall and agricultural demand.
The matter is expected to be listed before an appropriate Bench of the Supreme Court, where Tamil Nadu will seek immediate enforcement of the CWMA’s July 30 decision.
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