Bengaluru: Karnataka on Wednesday deferred the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu to Thursday when the two states will discuss the contentious issue at a meeting convened by the Centre in New Delhi.
Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti will preside over the meeting – called on the Supreme Court’s advice on Tuesday – in which state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with his Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil and top officials will participate.
“We have deferred the decision on the water release (6,000 cusecs daily for three days) as per the Supreme Court’s Tuesday order by a day pending the outcome of the Thursday meeting (fixed for 11:30 am),” Siddaramaiah told reporters here on Wednesday.
A decision to this effect was taken at a state Cabinet meeting after an all-party meeting discussed the apex court order and advised the state government not to release the water till the outcome of the meeting.
The top court directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs daily from Wednesday to Friday despite the state legislature’s resolution on September 23 to use the depleted water in the four dams across the river basin for drinking purpose only.
“There is no intention to disrespect the Supreme Court’s order by deferring the release of water which, its division bench said, could be adjusted against future releases,” Siddaramaiah said.
The apex court also advised Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to call the executive heads of the two states to negotiate on the quantum of water to be shared during distress period. (IANS)
