SC directs CMC to make recommendation on Cauvery water issue

"We hereby direct CMC to examine all issues as may be raised on behalf of the states and make recommendations," a bench comprising justices D K Jain and J S Khehar said.

The bench said both the states shall comply with all the recommendations made by the CMC in letter and spirit.

The order was passed after Karnataka's counsel and senior advocate Fali Nariman said that the state would comply with the recommendations of the CMC.

Tamil Nadu's counsel C S Vaidyanathan had placed a copy of the October 26 letter addressed by Water Resource Secretary to states Chief Secretary expressing reservation on CMC going into question of shortfall of water in its October 31 meeting when the matter was sub-judice before the apex court.

However, during the hearing, counsel for both states agreed that CMC should go into all issues and other connected questions without prejudice including whether there is a shortfall of water to Tamil Nadu.

The bench said it would be open for the states to seek clarification later and posted the matter for hearing on November 26.

The court had last heard the matter on October 12 when it had dismissed a petition filed by a group of farmers from Karnataka seeking stay of its September 29 order directing release of 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

On October 11, the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) had passed the directive for release of 8.85 tmc on the basis of the findings of a central team that visited Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. (MORE)