SC directs Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till Friday

Setting aside a resolution passed by the Karnataka state assembly, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the state government to comply with its earlier order of releasing 6,000 cusecs of the Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu for the next three days ie till Friday.

The apex court also asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to facilitate a meeting between the governments of the two states to find a solution to this long-standing problem by Friday.

The court has, however, agreed to a further hearing of the matter on Wednesday.

The apex court's directions came while it was hearing the Karnataka Government's plea urging the court to modify its earlier order on the Cauvery waters sharing with Tamil Nadu.

In its plea, Karnataka had said its reservoirs are dry and it can only release water to Tamil Nadu by the end of the year.

While Karnataka sought modification of September 20 order of the apex court, its neighbour Tamil Nadu contested against modification.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka said it was not in a position to release water to Tamil Nadu on various grounds. Tamil Nadu said Karnataka is acting as judge in its own cause and refusing to comply with the orders in spite of the matter being sub-judice before the court.

The petition came three days after Karnataka's legislature passed a resolution saying the river will be used only for meeting the drinking water needs of villages and towns in the Cauvery Basin and Bengaluru.

The resolutions, however, did not mention the top court's order directing the state to release 6,000 cusecs every day (cubic feet per second) of water to Tamil Nadu till September 27.

Karnataka has said its citizens would go thirsty and crops in the state will be ravaged if it releases any more water to Tamil Nadu.

Over the past month, both states are fighting a legal battle in various courts over the sharing and distribution of Cauvery waters.