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With a reduction in the quantum of Cauvery water allocated to it, Tamil Nadu may feel shortchanged with the Supreme Court’s verdict but with the timeline being set for the constitution of the water management board, it may have finally won a significant victory too.
Mohan V Katarki, counsel for Karnataka, told BusinessLine that the Supreme court has given a direction to the Centre to constitute a Cauvery Management Authority but the court has not approved the tribunal’s recommendation.
“There has also been no mention about the formula for distress sharing as well but the verdict is good for both the States,” he said.
He also said that there is a provision for review within the next 15 days but the verdict holds good for the next 15 years. If the board doesn’t get constituted then both the States will have to work together to ensure that there are no more disturbances.
According to the verdict on Friday, the Supreme Court has awarded Karnataka : 284.75 (270 + 14.75) TMC; Tamil Nadu : 404.25 (419 – 14.75) TMC; Kerala : 30 TMC; Union Territory of Puducherry : 7 TMC; Environmental Protection : 10 TMC; Inevitable escapagaes into sea : 4 TMC. Total: 740 TMC.
What is also significant about the verdict is the fact that Bengaluru finds a mention as a global city and hence Karnataka gets an additional 4.75 TMC of water. “Keeping in mind the global status of Bengaluru, an addition of 4.75 TMC is awarded to Karnataka,” the judgment said.
‘Verdict justified’
RS Deshpande, honorary visiting professor at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, said the Supreme Court based its judgment on the evidence provided to it but the “evidence is usually tampered with.”
He, however, said that the verdict may not be favourable but is justified. With regard to distress-sharing, he said that it all depends on whether it is a two-crop economy or a three-crop economy one is looking at while coming out with a formula for it.
Harish Ramaswamy, professor of political science at Karnataka University in Dharwad, said the verdict is a big boost for the Congress as it was in the forefront of the agitation previously and was even prepared to go against the Supreme Court. He, however, said that there is a possibility of Congress trying to increase the irrigation area if the party returns to power.
Member of Parliament from Karnataka, Rajeev Chandrasekhar. said the verdict seems to be fair to Karnataka despite the inept handling of the case by the Siddaramaiah Government in the early stages. “Arguably if the early legal strategy had been planned better, it is possible that Karnataka could have got an increased award more than the 10 TMC because we depend far more on Cauvery for agricultural needs unlike Tamil Nadu.”
Relief to farmers
Meanwhile, the verdict has brought a sense of relief to farmers in the Cauvery basin area of Karnataka, who have fought for water for over two decades.
“The verdict has brought us relief,” said Kurubur Shantakumar, President, Karnataka Cane Growers Association. The setting up of the Cauvery Water Management Board is a welcome move, he said.
For the farmers, who have been impacted by the consecutive drought over the past two years, the State government should announce a relief package, Shantkumar said.