The Cauvery water dispute has taken a fresh political turn after Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay to postpone their proposed meeting scheduled for August 3.

The development follows a directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) ordering Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka has argued that deficient rainfall, drought conditions, and concerns over drinking water supplies make it difficult to comply with the order.

The issue has triggered political reactions in both states. Karnataka has called an all-party meeting to discuss its next legal and political strategy, while protests have intensified over the water-sharing dispute. In Tamil Nadu, political parties have also stepped up pressure over the handling of the Cauvery issue.

Cauvery Water Dispute Escalates: Karnataka Urges Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to Postpone Talks

The Cauvery water-sharing dispute is back in focus as the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee prepares to meet on July 28. The meeting comes at a crucial time, with water allocations, reservoir levels and monsoon conditions expected to dominate discussions. Decisions taken by the committee could have significant implications for farmers, water management authorities and states dependent on the Cauvery basin.


Cauvery water row heats up: Key committee meeting set for July 28

Acting on the Supreme Court's direction, the Centre today constituted a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CMA) to address the dispute over sharing of river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

On February 16, the apex court had directed the government to form the CMA within six weeks in a verdict that marginally increased Karnataka's share of Cauvery water, reduced the allocation for Tamil Nadu and sought to settle the protracted water dispute between the two southern states.

In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Water Resources said it has framed a scheme constituting the CMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to give effect to the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal as modified by the Supreme Court order.

The authority would comprise a chairman, eight members besides a secretary. Out of eight members, two each will be full-time and part-time members, while the rest four would be part-time members from states.

The chairman of the authority should either be a "senior and eminent engineer? with an experience of water resource management and handling of inter-state water dispute or an IAS officer with an experience in water resources management and handling the inter-state dispute.&nbsp

He will have the tenure of five years or until he reaches the age of 65, whichever is earlier.&nbsp

An emotive issue in all the states concerned and Puducherry, the demand to constitute the authority was one of the reasons behind disruption of the Budget Session by the members of the AIADMK who demanded the constitution of the board.

The apex court, in its verdict delivered on February 16, had asked the Centre to frame the Cauvery management scheme, including creation of the Cauvery Management Board.

The scheme would deal with the issue of water share of the four states in different circumstances like normal and deficient water years in the Cauvery river basin.

It had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal".&nbsp

The authority will exercise power and discharge such duty for "sufficient and expedient for securing compliance and implementation" of the Supreme Court order in relation to "storage, apportionment, regulation and control of Cauvery waters".

"If the authority finds that any government of the party states, namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Union territory of Puducherry do not cooperate in implementing the decision or direction of the tribunal, it can seek the help of the central government for implementation of the award...," the notification said.

Further, if any delay or shortfall is caused in release of water on account of default of any party state, the authority will take appropriate action.

The authority will also supervise operation of reservoirs and with regulation of water releases therefrom with the assistance of regulation committee, the notification said.

The authority will also look at regulated release of water by Karnataka, at the inter-state contact point presently identified as Billigundulu gauge and discharge station, located on the common border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The notification further said that the authority at the beginning of the water year (June 1 each year) would determine the total residual storage in the specified reservoirs.&nbsp

"As, it is not possible to know the amount of season-wise river flows which will be available during a season, it will be assumed that the inflows will be according to 50 per cent dependable year (yield 740 TMC)," it said.

The share of each state will be determined on the basis of the flows so assumed together with the available carry-over storage in the reservoirs.&nbsp

"The withdrawals will be allowed during the first time interval of ten days of the season on the basis of the share worked out for each party state, limited to the water requirements during the same period indicated by each party state by placing an indent of water demand with Cauvery Water Regulation Committee," it added.

The authority has also been tasked to advise the states to take suitable measures to improve water use efficiency, by way of promoting micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler), change in cropping pattern, improved agronomic practices, system deficiency correction and command area development.

It has to also prepare an annual report covering the activities of the authority for the preceding year.&nbsp

The Centre will initially contribute a sum of Rs 2 crore for the functioning of the authority.

Also, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has to meet once in 10 days during the months of June and October when the south-west and north-east monsoon set in and again after the monsoon has set in.

Acting on the Supreme Court's direction, the Centre today constituted a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CMA) to address the dispute over sharing of river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry

Acting on the Supreme Court's direction, the Centre today constituted a Cauvery Water Management Authority (CMA) to address the dispute over sharing of river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. On February 16, the apex court had directed the government to form the CMA within six weeks in a verdict that marginally increased Karnataka's share of Cauvery water, reduced the allocation for Tamil Nadu and sought to settle the protracted water dispute between the two southern states. In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Water Resources said it has framed a scheme constituting the CMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to give effect to the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal as modified by the Supreme Court order. The authority would comprise a chairman, eight members besides a secretary. Out of eight members, two each will be full-time and part-time members, while the rest four would be part-time members from states. The chairman of the authority should either be a "senior and eminent engineer? with an experience of water resource management and handling of inter-state water dispute or an IAS officer with an experience in water resources management and handling the inter-state dispute. He will have the tenure of five years or until he reaches the age of 65, whichever is earlier. An emotive issue in all the states concerned and Puducherry, the demand to constitute the authority was one of the reasons behind disruption of the Budget Session by the members of the AIADMK who demanded the constitution of the board. The apex court, in its verdict delivered on February 16, had asked the Centre to frame the Cauvery management scheme, including creation of the Cauvery Management Board. The scheme would deal with the issue of water share of the four states in different circumstances like normal and deficient water years in the Cauvery river basin. It had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". The authority will exercise power and discharge such duty for "sufficient and expedient for securing compliance and implementation" of the Supreme Court order in relation to "storage, apportionment, regulation and control of Cauvery waters". "If the authority finds that any government of the party states, namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Union territory of Puducherry do not cooperate in implementing the decision or direction of the tribunal, it can seek the help of the central government for implementation of the award...," the notification said. Further, if any delay or shortfall is caused in release of water on account of default of any party state, the authority will take appropriate action. The authority will also supervise operation of reservoirs and with regulation of water releases therefrom with the assistance of regulation committee, the notification said. The authority will also look at regulated release of water by Karnataka, at the inter-state contact point presently identified as Billigundulu gauge and discharge station, located on the common border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The notification further said that the authority at the beginning of the water year (June 1 each year) would determine the total residual storage in the specified reservoirs. "As, it is not possible to know the amount of season-wise river flows which will be available during a season, it will be assumed that the inflows will be according to 50 per cent dependable year (yield 740 TMC)," it said. The share of each state will be determined on the basis of the flows so assumed together with the available carry-over storage in the reservoirs. "The withdrawals will be allowed during the first time interval of ten days of the season on the basis of the share worked out for each party state, limited to the water requirements during the same period indicated by each party state by placing an indent of water demand with Cauvery Water Regulation Committee," it added. The authority has also been tasked to advise the states to take suitable measures to improve water use efficiency, by way of promoting micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler), change in cropping pattern, improved agronomic practices, system deficiency correction and command area development. It has to also prepare an annual report covering the activities of the authority for the preceding year. The Centre will initially contribute a sum of Rs 2 crore for the functioning of the authority. Also, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has to meet once in 10 days during the months of June and October when the south-west and north-east monsoon set in and again after the monsoon has set in.

Centre forms Cauvery Water Management Authority

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on finalisation of the Cauvery management scheme which will deal with the smooth distribution of water among four southern riparian states.

According to news agency PTI, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said it will consider the suggestions given by all stakeholders while finalising the Cauvery scheme.

"We will pronounce the order tomorrow. If that is not possible, then we will pass the order on May 22 or 23," PTI reported quoting the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Karnataka government, submitted suggestions to be dealt while finalising the Cauvery scheme.

Divan said that Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) had provided for minimum water to be allowed to remain in the reservoir on behalf of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain a steady flow of water, adding that, the draft scheme does not deal with this aspect.

Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the Union has modified the provision of the scheme that had empowered it to pass directions from time to time with regard to water distribution.

The top court on Wednesday asked the central government to modify its draft scheme for setting up of a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) that will be the sole authority for implementing the Cauvery Water Tribunal Award.

It also sought to drop the clause which said that in case of a dispute, the matter would be decided by the Centre and it would be final and binding.

The Centre was also asked to drop the clause that said that the Centre would give directions from time to time to the implementing authority -- a clause objected to by Tamil Nadu.

The 2007 Cauvery Water Tribunal Award was modified and reaffirmed by the top court by its February 16 verdict.

The court said the Central government would only be issuing administrative directions for implementing the award.

The CMB would be headquartered in Delhi while the office of the regulatory authority would be in Bengaluru.

&nbsp

(With PTI inputs)

&nbsp

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Karnataka government, submitted suggestions to be dealt while finalising the Cauvery scheme.

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on finalisation of the Cauvery management scheme which will deal with the smooth distribution of water among four southern riparian states. According to news agency PTI, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said it will consider the suggestions given by all stakeholders while finalising the Cauvery scheme. "We will pronounce the order tomorrow. If that is not possible, then we will pass the order on May 22 or 23," PTI reported quoting the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the Karnataka government, submitted suggestions to be dealt while finalising the Cauvery scheme. Divan said that Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) had provided for minimum water to be allowed to remain in the reservoir on behalf of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain a steady flow of water, adding that, the draft scheme does not deal with this aspect. Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the Union has modified the provision of the scheme that had empowered it to pass directions from time to time with regard to water distribution. The top court on Wednesday asked the central government to modify its draft scheme for setting up of a Cauvery Management Board (CMB) that will be the sole authority for implementing the Cauvery Water Tribunal Award. It also sought to drop the clause which said that in case of a dispute, the matter would be decided by the Centre and it would be final and binding. The Centre was also asked to drop the clause that said that the Centre would give directions from time to time to the implementing authority -- a clause objected to by Tamil Nadu. The 2007 Cauvery Water Tribunal Award was modified and reaffirmed by the top court by its February 16 verdict. The court said the Central government would only be issuing administrative directions for implementing the award. The CMB would be headquartered in Delhi while the office of the regulatory authority would be in Bengaluru. (With PTI inputs)

Cauvery dispute: Supreme Court reserves order on Centre's draft scheme

The Supreme Court today asked the Karnataka government to give 4 tmc water to Tamil Nadu, ordering that the state would "face consequences" if it breaches order.

Karnataka must release water to Tamil Nadu for April and May, India's top court said.

India's Attorney General&nbsp;Venugopal told the apex court that PM Modi and his Cabinet were busy with the impending Karnataka elections.&nbsp;

Karnataka must tell us how much water it can release, it said, adding, the court is not concerned about the Karnataka elections. 
&nbsp; 
In February, the Supreme Court had directed Karnataka to release 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu after several decades of dispute.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

India's highest court had also allowed Tami Nadu to draw an additional 10 TMC 'groundwater' from a total of 20 TMC beneath the Cauvery basin.&nbsp;

The court had said there should be "no deviance" of the order by any state.

The Supreme Court had said the order will remain in force for the next 15 years.

Karnataka must tell us how much water it can release, India's apex court said.

The Supreme Court today asked the Karnataka government to give 4 tmc water to Tamil Nadu, ordering that the state would "face consequences" if it breaches order. Karnataka must release water to Tamil Nadu for April and May, India's top court said. India's Attorney General Venugopal told the apex court that PM Modi and his Cabinet were busy with the impending Karnataka elections. Karnataka must tell us how much water it can release, it said, adding, the court is not concerned about the Karnataka elections. In February, the Supreme Court had directed Karnataka to release 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu after several decades of dispute. India's highest court had also allowed Tami Nadu to draw an additional 10 TMC 'groundwater' from a total of 20 TMC beneath the Cauvery basin. The court had said there should be "no deviance" of the order by any state. The Supreme Court had said the order will remain in force for the next 15 years.

Cauvery row: Karnataka must release water to Tamil Nadu, or face consequences, says SC

The Supreme Court today took strong note of the Centre not yet framing the Cauvery management scheme to implement its verdict on river water sharing between four southern states, even as Tamil Nadu attacked the union government for its "partisan" attitude saying this was the "end of cooperative federalism".

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the Centre to file an affidavit by May 8 giving details of steps taken to frame the scheme, which was ordered for the smooth release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

"Mr Venugopal (Attorney General), the scheme has to be finalised by the Centre and it should have been finalised by now. The states have no role in it," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.&nbsp

Attorney General K K Venugopal said the hearing on setting up of the scheme, under which Cauvery Management Board (CMB) has be constituted, be deferred by ten days till the Karnataka polls are over as the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues are busy in campaigning.

Venugopal also said the draft scheme, which has to be approved by the Union Cabinet, could not be put for approval due to the ongoing campaign.

He also referred to the recent communication of the Karnataka Chief Minister that the Water Resources Ministers of all the four states be made members of the CMB, has created an issue which also needed to be resolved.&nbsp

The submission irked senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, who said "this is the end of cooperative federalism and the rule of law in the country. This is the partisan attitude of the union of India to favour Karnataka."

"I am saying this with full sense of responsibility that the Centre is playing politics and is more worried about its poll prospects in Karnataka than following the apex court order," Naphade said, adding that the judgement had said that the scheme had to be framed within four weeks and this was nothing but "dilly-dallying".

Besides the summer temperature, "the temperature over Cauvery water is rising in Tamil Nadu," he said, adding that the government was "clueless" as to what to say to people as no scheme has been framed even after two months of the judgment.

The apex court, meanwhile, warned Karnataka government and asked it to establish its bonafide by releasing water and said it may take suo motu cognisance of contempt and seek the presence of state's Chief Secretary before it.

"Let Chief Secretary appear before it. We take suo motu cognizance of the contempt," the bench said when senior lawyer Shyam Divan, appearing for Karnataka, said there was contempt plea against it. 
The court, in its order, however, did not refer to aspects relating to contempt and presence of Chief Secretary.&nbsp

During the hearing, the court first asked Karnataka to release 4 tmcft water by May 8, then asked it to release 2 tmcft water and at the end, ordered it to apprise the bench "as to how much water can be released".&nbsp

While posting the matter for hearing on May 8, the court assured Tamil Nadu that the Cauvery water would be released as per its verdict.&nbsp

On April 9, the court had asked the Centre to formulate and file the draft Cauvery management scheme before it by today and directed Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to ensure peace in the meantime. The bench had made it clear that the judgment has to comply with all the stakeholders.

The apex court had asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance with its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending the time for this on any ground.

The top court had on February 16 raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal".

With the apex court's verdict, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry would be annually entitled to 404.25 tmcft, 284.75 tmcft, 30 tmcft and 7 tmcft of Cauvery water respectively out of the total of 740 tmcft.&nbsp

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the Centre to file an affidavit by May 8 giving details of steps taken to frame the scheme.

The Supreme Court today took strong note of the Centre not yet framing the Cauvery management scheme to implement its verdict on river water sharing between four southern states, even as Tamil Nadu attacked the union government for its "partisan" attitude saying this was the "end of cooperative federalism". A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the Centre to file an affidavit by May 8 giving details of steps taken to frame the scheme, which was ordered for the smooth release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. "Mr Venugopal (Attorney General), the scheme has to be finalised by the Centre and it should have been finalised by now. The states have no role in it," the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said. Attorney General K K Venugopal said the hearing on setting up of the scheme, under which Cauvery Management Board (CMB) has be constituted, be deferred by ten days till the Karnataka polls are over as the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues are busy in campaigning. Venugopal also said the draft scheme, which has to be approved by the Union Cabinet, could not be put for approval due to the ongoing campaign. He also referred to the recent communication of the Karnataka Chief Minister that the Water Resources Ministers of all the four states be made members of the CMB, has created an issue which also needed to be resolved. The submission irked senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, who said "this is the end of cooperative federalism and the rule of law in the country. This is the partisan attitude of the union of India to favour Karnataka." "I am saying this with full sense of responsibility that the Centre is playing politics and is more worried about its poll prospects in Karnataka than following the apex court order," Naphade said, adding that the judgement had said that the scheme had to be framed within four weeks and this was nothing but "dilly-dallying". Besides the summer temperature, "the temperature over Cauvery water is rising in Tamil Nadu," he said, adding that the government was "clueless" as to what to say to people as no scheme has been framed even after two months of the judgment. The apex court, meanwhile, warned Karnataka government and asked it to establish its bonafide by releasing water and said it may take suo motu cognisance of contempt and seek the presence of state's Chief Secretary before it. "Let Chief Secretary appear before it. We take suo motu cognizance of the contempt," the bench said when senior lawyer Shyam Divan, appearing for Karnataka, said there was contempt plea against it. The court, in its order, however, did not refer to aspects relating to contempt and presence of Chief Secretary. During the hearing, the court first asked Karnataka to release 4 tmcft water by May 8, then asked it to release 2 tmcft water and at the end, ordered it to apprise the bench "as to how much water can be released". While posting the matter for hearing on May 8, the court assured Tamil Nadu that the Cauvery water would be released as per its verdict. On April 9, the court had asked the Centre to formulate and file the draft Cauvery management scheme before it by today and directed Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to ensure peace in the meantime. The bench had made it clear that the judgment has to comply with all the stakeholders. The apex court had asked the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance with its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute. It had modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending the time for this on any ground. The top court had on February 16 raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin, saying the issue of drinking water has to be placed on a "higher pedestal". With the apex court's verdict, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry would be annually entitled to 404.25 tmcft, 284.75 tmcft, 30 tmcft and 7 tmcft of Cauvery water respectively out of the total of 740 tmcft.

Supreme Court takes note of non-framing of Cauvery scheme by Centre

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Chennai, actor Kamal Haasan released a video on Twitter where he sought justice for Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue.

"People of Tamil Nadu are fighting for justice. Justice has been given but it is not being executed. People have started to believe that this delay is due to Karnataka elections, and your interest in it. I want this belief to be dispelled for people are more important than elections," Haasan said in his video.

"With your previous experiment with Narmada Water Authority, you could easily deliver the justice that Tamil Nadu is asking," Haasan said. "Please do justice with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka," he added in nearly 2-minute-long video.

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To my Honourable Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KamalAppealToPM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KamalAppealToPM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXlM7dDO9x">pic.twitter.com/FXlM7dDO9x</a>
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Though the PM is in Chennai to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/protests-in-chennai-over-cauvery-row-as-pm-modi-arrives-in-city-129994">inaugurate the DefExpo</a>, political parties have chosen his visit as an occasion to stage protests over the Cauvery issue.

Since April 1, the state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, student groups and voluntary organisations seeking setting up of the Cauvery Management Board.

Last week, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth had said that Centre would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-row-rajinikanth-says-centre-will-earn-tamil-nadus-wrath-if-it-drags-feet-galaxy-of-actors-at-protest-129097">earn the wrath of Tamil Nadu people</a> if it fails to constitute the Cauvery Management Board on an urgent basis. Rajinikanth, along with other actors like Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Vijay, Surya, Sathyaraj, Sivakumar, Nassar, Vishal, Karthi and Sivakarthikeyan took part in a day-long protest over demand for formation of the board.

The ongoing protests over the issue have led the shifting of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-protests-all-matches-moved-out-of-chennai-confirms-ipl-chairman-129912">Indian Premier League matches out of Chennai</a> due to security reasons. Three policemen are attacked during an anti-IPL protest over the Cauvery issue on Wednesday after which the decision was taken to move all the matches from Chennai to Pune.

On February 16, the Supreme Court had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin.

The court had granted six weeks time to the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute, which modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award of 2007.

The six-week period ended on March 29.

Since April 1, the state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, student groups and voluntary organisations seeking setting up of the Cauvery Management Board.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Chennai, actor Kamal Haasan released a video on Twitter where he sought justice for Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue. "People of Tamil Nadu are fighting for justice. Justice has been given but it is not being executed. People have started to believe that this delay is due to Karnataka elections, and your interest in it. I want this belief to be dispelled for people are more important than elections," Haasan said in his video. "With your previous experiment with Narmada Water Authority, you could easily deliver the justice that Tamil Nadu is asking," Haasan said. "Please do justice with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka," he added in nearly 2-minute-long video. To my Honourable Prime Minister #KamalAppealToPM @narendramodi @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/FXlM7dDO9x — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) April 12, 2018 × Though the PM is in Chennai to inaugurate the DefExpo, political parties have chosen his visit as an occasion to stage protests over the Cauvery issue. Since April 1, the state has been witnessing protests by political parties, pro-Tamil outfits, student groups and voluntary organisations seeking setting up of the Cauvery Management Board. Last week, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth had said that Centre would earn the wrath of Tamil Nadu people if it fails to constitute the Cauvery Management Board on an urgent basis. Rajinikanth, along with other actors like Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Vijay, Surya, Sathyaraj, Sivakumar, Nassar, Vishal, Karthi and Sivakarthikeyan took part in a day-long protest over demand for formation of the board. The ongoing protests over the issue have led the shifting of Indian Premier League matches out of Chennai due to security reasons. Three policemen are attacked during an anti-IPL protest over the Cauvery issue on Wednesday after which the decision was taken to move all the matches from Chennai to Pune. On February 16, the Supreme Court had raised the 270 tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from the river basin. The court had granted six weeks time to the Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance of its 465-page judgement on the decades-old Cauvery dispute, which modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award of 2007. The six-week period ended on March 29.

Cauvery issue: Kamal Haasan seeks 'justice for Tamil Nadu' in video message to PM Modi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today made it clear that the southern state was &quot;not in a position&quot; to release Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, even as he hoped for a &quot;favourable order&quot; on the long-pending dispute next month.

His remarks come in the wake of a letter written to him by his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K Palaniswamy demanding the immediate release of 7 tmc feet of water to the state as per the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

&quot;We do not have water. How can we supply to them? It is not possible to release water to Tamil Nadu,&quot; the Karnataka chief minister said in response to the letter.

&quot;We expect a favourable order,&quot; he said on the hearing of the Cauvery water dispute next month.

Siddaramaiah was in the national capital to attend a meeting called by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Last week, the Supreme Court had indicated that it would deliver within a month its verdict on the decades-old water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, saying enough confusion had been created on it for over two decades.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud had said that any forum could touch the matter relating to the Cauvery basin only after it gave the verdict in four weeks.

On the Mahadayi river dispute, Siddarmaiah said a meeting would be called to resolve the matter at the earliest. The affected states will also be invited, he said.

The dispute over the sharing of water of the Mahadayi or Mandovi river between the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa is over 30 years old.&nbsp;

Siddaramaiah was in the national capital to attend a meeting called by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today made it clear that the southern state was "not in a position" to release Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, even as he hoped for a "favourable order" on the long-pending dispute next month. His remarks come in the wake of a letter written to him by his Tamil Nadu counterpart Edappadi K Palaniswamy demanding the immediate release of 7 tmc feet of water to the state as per the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. "We do not have water. How can we supply to them? It is not possible to release water to Tamil Nadu," the Karnataka chief minister said in response to the letter. "We expect a favourable order," he said on the hearing of the Cauvery water dispute next month. Siddaramaiah was in the national capital to attend a meeting called by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Last week, the Supreme Court had indicated that it would deliver within a month its verdict on the decades-old water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, saying enough confusion had been created on it for over two decades. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud had said that any forum could touch the matter relating to the Cauvery basin only after it gave the verdict in four weeks. On the Mahadayi river dispute, Siddarmaiah said a meeting would be called to resolve the matter at the earliest. The affected states will also be invited, he said. The dispute over the sharing of water of the Mahadayi or Mandovi river between the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa is over 30 years old.

Siddaramaiah refuses to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu

A mass strike shut down India&#39;s technology capital Bengaluru on Friday, with hundreds of companies forced to remain closed and public transport services cancelled as thousands took to the streets over water shortages. 
 
Schools, shops and some government offices also remained closed and there were few private cars on the usually clogged roads in the sprawling capital of southern Karnataka state, which has seen days of street protests. 
 
The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release thousands of gallons of water from its reservoirs into rivers that supply the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which has been suffering from a severe shortage. 
 
&quot;The day-long, state-wide shutdown is in protest against the Supreme Court order and to express resentment over the state government releasing the water when we don&#39;t have it for drinking and irrigation,&quot; said Vatal Nagaraj, president of a local federation of civil society groups. 
 
Around 5,000 protesters took to the streets of Bengaluru, some burning tyres and effigies of Tamil Nadu&#39;s chief minister Jayalalitha Jayaram. 
 
Technology outsourcing giants Infosys and Wipro said they had told staff to take the day off and make up the time at the weekend. 
 
The shutdown also left hundreds of rail and air passengers stranded at the city&#39;s railway station and airport, with no buses or taxis to take them. 
 
India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states. 
 
Earlier this year the government was forced to deploy troops to secure a canal supplying water to New Delhi after it was sabotaged by protesters in neighbouring Haryana state, causing days of shortages in the capital. 
 
&quot;We will give our blood but not Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu,&quot; said Bengaluru protester Pravin Shetty, referring to the river that flows through both states. 
 
&quot;How can the state government release our water to grow crops in the neighbouring state when we don&#39;t have enough of it for drinking purposes this year.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release water into rivers that supply neighbouring Tamil Nadu

A mass strike shut down India's technology capital Bengaluru on Friday, with hundreds of companies forced to remain closed and public transport services cancelled as thousands took to the streets over water shortages. Schools, shops and some government offices also remained closed and there were few private cars on the usually clogged roads in the sprawling capital of southern Karnataka state, which has seen days of street protests. The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release thousands of gallons of water from its reservoirs into rivers that supply the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which has been suffering from a severe shortage. "The day-long, state-wide shutdown is in protest against the Supreme Court order and to express resentment over the state government releasing the water when we don't have it for drinking and irrigation," said Vatal Nagaraj, president of a local federation of civil society groups. Around 5,000 protesters took to the streets of Bengaluru, some burning tyres and effigies of Tamil Nadu's chief minister Jayalalitha Jayaram. Technology outsourcing giants Infosys and Wipro said they had told staff to take the day off and make up the time at the weekend. The shutdown also left hundreds of rail and air passengers stranded at the city's railway station and airport, with no buses or taxis to take them. India suffers severe water shortages that cause frequent tensions between states. Earlier this year the government was forced to deploy troops to secure a canal supplying water to New Delhi after it was sabotaged by protesters in neighbouring Haryana state, causing days of shortages in the capital. "We will give our blood but not Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu," said Bengaluru protester Pravin Shetty, referring to the river that flows through both states. "How can the state government release our water to grow crops in the neighbouring state when we don't have enough of it for drinking purposes this year." (AFP)

Water shortage protest paralyses India's tech hub Bengaluru

Agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits today blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in India&#39;s southern state of Karnataka as protests intensified in the wake of the Supreme Court directive to the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. 
 
Mandya district, the nucleus of Cauvery politics, saw a bandh&nbsp;(strike) with protesters holding road blockades and dharnas (peaceful demonstration) at several places, as hundreds of security personnel, including government forces, were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order. 
 
Prohibitory orders have been clamped around Krishnarajasagar Dam and entry of visitors to it prohibited till September nine, as the Cauvery row hotted up after the Supreme Court direction to Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of the farmers there. 
 
Protesters also mobbed and ransacked several government offices in Mandya forcing their shut down, while attendance at government offices remained thin, police said. 
 
The Supreme Court&#39;s direction yesterday triggered an immediate backlash with the farmers&#39; body spearheading the stir, calling for a bandh today in Mandya district. 
 
Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments and theatres and hotels remained shut and schools and colleges declared a holiday in the district where state-run and private buses are also not plying. 
 
Protests are also being held in Mysuru and Hassan districts, fed by the Cauvery, demanding that Karnataka should not release water. 
 
Venting their anger, protesters burnt effigy of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at several places. 
 
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is holding a meeting of? senior Ministers, legal experts and officials, has also invited legislature floor leaders and MPs later today to discuss the further course of action.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the government appealed to people not to resort to agitation and to maintain calm. 
 
&quot;My appeal to the public is that don&#39;t resort to agitation...And keep calm and we will make all efforts to protect the interest of the farmers,&quot; law and parliamentary affairs minister T B Jayachandra told reporters in Bengaluru. 
 
Jayachandra said people should maintain calm as it is an order by the Supreme Court and the government needs to go before the Cauvery supervisory committee and convince it. 
 
&quot;My appeal is be calm, and don&#39;t spoil any government property or anything because it is a Supreme Court order. We have to go before the Supervisory Committee and we want to try to convince (it) also,&quot; the minister said. 
 
Former chief minister and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party&#39;s state president B S Yeddiyurappa asked the government to file a petition countering the Supreme Court order. 
 
In Mandya city, Kannada Rakshna Vedike outfit activists held a bike rally and burnt the effigy of Jayalalitha. 
 
G Madegowda, president of Cauvery Hita Rakshana Samithi, the body spearheading the agitation, criticised the chief minister and irrigation minister for their &quot;irresponsible&quot; behaviour over the Cauvery issue. 
 
He also called the district MLAs to resign en masse to protest against the &quot;injustice.&quot; 
 
(PTI)

India's apex court's directive to the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu state triggered an immediate backlash with the farmers

Agitated farmers and activists belonging to pro-Kannada outfits today blocked the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in India's southern state of Karnataka as protests intensified in the wake of the Supreme Court directive to the state to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Mandya district, the nucleus of Cauvery politics, saw a bandh (strike) with protesters holding road blockades and dharnas (peaceful demonstration) at several places, as hundreds of security personnel, including government forces, were deployed in the Cauvery belt to maintain law and order. Prohibitory orders have been clamped around Krishnarajasagar Dam and entry of visitors to it prohibited till September nine, as the Cauvery row hotted up after the Supreme Court direction to Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days to address the plight of the farmers there. Protesters also mobbed and ransacked several government offices in Mandya forcing their shut down, while attendance at government offices remained thin, police said. The Supreme Court's direction yesterday triggered an immediate backlash with the farmers' body spearheading the stir, calling for a bandh today in Mandya district. Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments and theatres and hotels remained shut and schools and colleges declared a holiday in the district where state-run and private buses are also not plying. Protests are also being held in Mysuru and Hassan districts, fed by the Cauvery, demanding that Karnataka should not release water. Venting their anger, protesters burnt effigy of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa at several places. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is holding a meeting of? senior Ministers, legal experts and officials, has also invited legislature floor leaders and MPs later today to discuss the further course of action. Meanwhile, the government appealed to people not to resort to agitation and to maintain calm. "My appeal to the public is that don't resort to agitation...And keep calm and we will make all efforts to protect the interest of the farmers," law and parliamentary affairs minister T B Jayachandra told reporters in Bengaluru. Jayachandra said people should maintain calm as it is an order by the Supreme Court and the government needs to go before the Cauvery supervisory committee and convince it. "My appeal is be calm, and don't spoil any government property or anything because it is a Supreme Court order. We have to go before the Supervisory Committee and we want to try to convince (it) also," the minister said. Former chief minister and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's state president B S Yeddiyurappa asked the government to file a petition countering the Supreme Court order. In Mandya city, Kannada Rakshna Vedike outfit activists held a bike rally and burnt the effigy of Jayalalitha. G Madegowda, president of Cauvery Hita Rakshana Samithi, the body spearheading the agitation, criticised the chief minister and irrigation minister for their "irresponsible" behaviour over the Cauvery issue. He also called the district MLAs to resign en masse to protest against the "injustice." (PTI)

Cauvery row: Bengaluru-Mysuru Highway blocked, protests intensify in India's Karnataka

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