The state proposes to seek a pragmatic distress sharing formula at the crucial meeting of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA), headed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 19. While the interim order stipulated that Karnataka release 205 TMC feet to Tamil Nadu, the final order fixed the quantum of water to be released to the lower riparian state at 192 TMC feet.
“The interim order passed in 1991 does not stand because the final order has already been passed in January 2007. The final order too cannot be enforced as the Centre did not notify it as the aggrieved parties (states) filed appeals before the Supreme Court. However, as we cannot allow a vacuum, Karnataka suggested that allocation should be made after accounting for the flow and the actual needs on both sides,” Mohan V Katarki, Karnataka’s counsel on the Cauvery issue, told Deccan Chronicle.
Mr Katarki said “Karnataka will demand a reality check by the Cauvery Monitoring Committee to understand the ground realities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu related to drinking water needs, reservoir levels, extent of standing crops, prevailing water situation and possibilities of alternative crops, deferring crops based on monsoon among others.” Such a committee, comprising water experts and bureaucrats drawn from the Centre and states, should visit and submit a report on ground realities based on which CRA could finalise the distress formula, he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who chaired a meeting with leaders of all political parties earlier this week, would meet the officers concerned followed by one with Members of Parliament on September 18 in order to finalize the state’s stand ahead of the crucial meeting in Delhi on September 19, according to sources in the water resources ministry.