Supreme Court rebukes Centre over Cauvery water verdict

On a related note, the top court on Monday is slated to hear Tamil Nadu’s contempt petition against the Centre for not forming the Cauvery Water Management Board.

The apex court also directed the authorities of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and other stakeholders to ensure peace in the meantime.

Chennai: Joining the growing chorus for Cauvery Management Board (CMB), the Tamil film industry today jumped into protests by observing a one-day fast at Valluvarkottam in Chennai.

On February 16, the Supreme Court gave its verdict on the contentious Cauvery water sharing dispute, by awarding the four party states their annual shares – Tamil Nadu – 404.25 tmcft, Karnataka – 284.75 tmcft, Kerala – 30 tmcft and Puducherry – 7 tmcft. We will take a call once Centre submits its draft on the issue, said Supreme Court.

He also said people from different walks of life have been protesting across Tamil Nadu for the welfare of poor farmers. Pointing out that it had delivered the judgment after considerable study, the bench remarked that the Centre had not shown the resolve to frame the scheme. On the demand from some sections to boycott Indian Premier League (IPL), Rajinikanth argued under current circumstances when the state is fighting for Cauvery water, celebrations would certainly mean embarrassment.

The bench had also ordered the Centre to frame a scheme under the Inter State River Disputes Act of 1956 within six weeks for ensuring the verdict is “smoothly made functional”. “We should all use resources available to us and live in harmony”, said Nassar, President of the Nadigar Sangam. “The tribunal is recommendatory in nature and we have the flexibility to interpret the nature of the scheme”.

Earlier, the Center had filed a clarification petition before the Supreme Court and pleaded to clarify that whether it can modify the composition of Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

With Karnataka going to polls on May 12, the Centre has also sought a three-month extension from the court to frame a scheme.

It is hoped that the Centre does not procrastinate any further and carries out the responsibility the apex court has entrusted to it. Procrastination and politics have proved a drag on the Cauvery issue.

While Haasan said that Cauvery water is the “basic requirement” of the people, Rajinikanth said that the CMB is the “only acceptable solution”.