SC order not a setback to state, says Law Minister

“The apex court’s direction has rung in the necessary clarification sought by the Centre. Court had reiterated the Centre’s role in the issue and the one (Centre) who needs to understand has been clearly explained. The order is that the Centre should formulate a draft scheme to implement the Cauvery final verdict and submit the same before the court,” the Minister said when asked as to how the court’s order could be interpreted as a clarification. On formation of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), the Minister said, “The ‘scheme’ ought to have all the mechanisms required to implement the verdict.” 

Explaining further, the Minister noted that the final verdict had upheld the orders of the final award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal except for two aspects. 

“The order had reduced the water share by 14.75 tmc to Tamil Nadu – one. Increased water share of Bengaluru (Karnataka) – two. Beyond these two, there is no change in the final orders of the Tribunal,” Shanmugam added. 

The Minister observed that the SC had not taken into account the submissions made by the Centre that they need more time and to factor in the Karnataka elections which are scheduled for next month. 

“The direction issued is to formulate a draft scheme in accordance with the section 6A of Interstate River Water Disputes Act in the backdrop of lack of consensus among Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and to submit the same before the court,” he said. 

He claimed that the verdict has once again reiterated the rightful share of Tamil Nadu and the Minister added, “We want to maintain peace in the issue.” 

Shanmugam was part of the official delegation camping in Delhi monitoring the case and was also present during the legal consultative meeting chaired by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.