Date:11/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/11/stories/2007021103220400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cauvery tribunal order said to be beyond implementation

Special Correspondent

H.N. Nanje Gowda

Bangalore: The former Irrigation Minister H.N. Nanje Gowda, MP, and the senior advocate and former judge K. Channabasappa have said that the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal is beyond implementation. The riparian States would have no option but to sit across the table and resolve the dispute in periods of distress.

The two of them told presspersons here on Saturday that the tribunal had done great harm to the good relationship between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It was unfortunate that the tribunal, instead of working out an amicable solution, had put out a biased report. The report could never be implemented and, during periods of distress, the two major riparian States would have to sit across the table and sort it out. Mr. Nanje Gowda said, "The final order of the tribunal is not in keeping with the honour and dignity of the judiciary. This tribunal should be scrapped by the Union Government, and its final order should be withdrawn. Karnataka is left with no choice. The final order can never be implemented. As such, the State has only been releasing surplus waters in the Cauvery. So far Karnataka has released not more than 13 tmcft in any given year from its storage in the reservoirs during distress periods in over a decade."

While the total storage in the State's reservoirs was 103 tmcft, the storage in the reservoirs in Tamil Nadu was over 132 tmcft, including 94 tmcft in the Stanley reservoir at Mettur, he said.

Bangalore's needs

He said it was strange that the tribunal had even referred to the drinking water requirements of one-third of Bangalore city that came within the Cauvery basin.

"Is the tribunal attempting to even divide Bangalore city? Bangalore requires nearly 30 tmcft of Cauvery water, and with the city expected to grow into a major metropolis, the drinking water requirement is expected to cross 40 tmcft," he said.

Instead of working out a solution with foresight, the tribunal had reduced the quantum of water need for the drinking water needs of Bangalore, he said. Mr. Nanje Gowda said all political parties and welfare organisations in the State should exert pressure on the Union Government to provide a satisfactory solution to the dispute.

No purpose would be served by Ministers threatening to resign in protest against the verdict. They should use their position to garner public support in favour of the State and protect the interests of farmers.

`Bias seen'

"It has been Karnataka's complaint from the beginning that the tribunal was biased in favour of Tamil Nadu, and this has been amply proved in the final order. The MPs from the State should also exert pressure on the Centre irrespective of party affiliations," he said.