Cauvery row: Karnataka finally releases river water to Tamil Nadu

After persistent reminders and orders from the Supreme Court, Karnataka released some water from the River Cauvery to neighbouring Tamil Nadu late on Monday night.

The court will hear the case on Tuesday. Karnataka previously has ignored the Supreme Court’s decree to give water to Tamil Nadu for its farmers. However, Siddaramaiah government cites its own farmers demands for not being able to comply with the orders of the apex court.

Irrigation Minister MB Patil on Mondy night said that some water will be released for farmers in Karnataka and across the border.  The chief minister said that the interests of the state will be protected, while he also stressed that its important to obey the SC.

The top court had last week asked the centre to set up a Cauvery Water Management Board but centre on Monday said it cannot create this board and needs Parliamentary nod for the same.

When asked why it did not disclose this earlier, the centre said “it was a mistake.” Earlier, in September, when Karnataka released some water it impelled riots in Bengaluru and other cities.

In 2007 the Supreme Court had set up a tribunal to decide how the water from River Cauvery should be shared between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and the states of Kerala and Puducherry.