New Delhi: In deference to the views of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Pondicherry, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal on Wednesday dropped its "tentative" order directing the Centre to appoint a three-member experts committee to go into their crop pattern and water requirements.

Instead, the members of the tribunal, N.S. Rao and Sudheer Narain, decided to make public the "confidential advice" given by its two assessors on apportionment of water to each of the States and the Union Territory.

Chairman N.P. Singh, however, said, "No report as such has been submitted by the two assessors, which is on record or in the Registry." Further, their advice pertained only to irrigation and not other issues.

On April 21, the tribunal members passed the order for constitution of an experts committee. In his separate order, the Chairman expressed disagreement. The three States and Pondicherry urged the members not to make absolute their "tentative" order.

In Wednesday's order, Mr. Rao and Mr. Narain said the parties raised the apprehension that the constitution of the committee might further delay final adjudication. "We are equally keen to take a decision on the matter at the earliest, but to arrive at [a] just and fair decision, we have to tread the path of investigative procedure."

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