Cauvery: K’taka moves SC seeking urgent hearing

Karnataka has moved the Supreme Court for urgent hearing on its plea seeking a direction to restrict the quantum of water to be released from River Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, from 15,000 cusecs to 1,000 cusecs.

The application filed late last evening has also sought modification of the apex court’s Sep 5 order in which it directed release of 15,000 cusecs of water for 10 days as an immediate relief to Tamil Nadu farmers. Karnataka’s decision to move the Supreme Court comes even as the Cauvery Supervisory Committee is meeting here on Monday to decide on the quantum of the river’s water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states.

The application has sought that instead of 10 days, the apex court should restrict the flow of water only for 6 days as the state itself was facing distress situation in view of massive agitation and loss of Rs 500 crore per day.

When contacted, advocate V N Raghupathy said, “We are trying to get the matter listed for an urgent hearing.”  The early listing of the matter is important as the courts are closed for the next 2 days on account of holiday.

In the application, Karnataka has stated that there has been huge public pressure and the state police, with great difficulty, have been able to prevent attempts to damage public property.