Cauvery water dispute heated up again, Tamil Nadu Congress President demanded immediate release of water from Karnataka
Tamil Nadu: The dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery River water appears to be escalating once again. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K. Selvaperunthagai has demanded the Karnataka government immediately release Tamil Nadu’s share of water as per the schedule set by the Cauvery Management Authority (CMA). He stated that the Cauvery River is not the property of any one state, but a national asset, and its water distribution should be in accordance with the law and Supreme Court orders.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the Tamil Nadu Congress President strongly objected to the Karnataka government’s recent stance. He said that the Karnataka Irrigation Minister’s statement regarding not releasing water to Tamil Nadu is contrary to the spirit of the Supreme Court’s directives.
He said that if the monsoon has been weaker than normal, it does not give one state the right to withhold another state’s legitimate share of water. Natural circumstances may be challenging, but they should be resolved through constitutional mechanisms and mutual cooperation.
In his statement, the Tamil Nadu Congress President stated that the strength of the federal structure is possible only when all states fulfill their obligations in a just manner. He alleged that any action that impacts the livelihood of Tamil Nadu farmers is not only humanitarianly unjust but also against the spirit of the federal system.
He stated that the water of an interstate river like the Cauvery cannot be considered a private resource of any one state. It is a national asset, the use of which must be in accordance with the statutory rights of all concerned states and the directives of the courts. No state has the right to unilaterally withhold water or decide its own distribution.
The Tamil Nadu Congress also cited the directives of the Cauvery Management Authority in its statement. He stated that the authority has clearly directed Tamil Nadu to provide 9.91 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water for the month of June and 32 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water for the month of July. Compliance with these orders is mandatory for all concerned parties.
He stated that decisions related to Cauvery water management are made after detailed technical studies, water availability, and the needs of various states. Therefore, it is not appropriate for any state to ignore these orders.
In his statement, he also cited the Supreme Court’s principle of proportional distribution in the event of drought or water crisis. He stated that if water availability is low in any year, the burden of the shortage should be shared proportionately by all the concerned states. It is unjust for any one state to control all the water.
He stated that Karnataka cannot withhold Tamil Nadu’s share of water by closing the dam gates at will. If there is a water crisis, it must be resolved in accordance with the Cauvery Management Authority and relevant legal provisions.
The Congress leader also appealed to the central government to play an active role in this matter. He said that the central government should ensure that the Cauvery Management Authority’s orders are fully followed and that no injustice is done to farmers in any state.
It is worth noting that the sharing of the Cauvery River water has been a sensitive issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for decades. Agriculture in both states depends heavily on the river’s water. Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s delta region, in particular, rely on the Cauvery’s water for paddy cultivation, while Karnataka also uses the river’s water for irrigation and drinking water needs.
Every year, water availability changes based on monsoon conditions, leading to disputes between the two states. In such cases, water distribution arrangements are implemented based on the Cauvery Management Authority and court directives.
The Tamil Nadu Congress has expressed hope that the Karnataka government, in accordance with its constitutional obligations, will promptly release Tamil Nadu’s share of water as per the schedule set by the Cauvery Management Authority. They say this will not only protect the interests of farmers but also strengthen the spirit of cooperation and trust between the two states.
