The Hindu : Front Page : Tribunal fixes monthly release schedule

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 06, 2007
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Tribunal fixes monthly release schedule

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: In its final award, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal has by and large maintained the schedule of monthly water release by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu that was suggested in the interim award.

While the June 25, 1991 interim award contemplated the release of 137 tmcft by Karnataka between June and September (out of the total 205 tmcft) to protect the water needs of Tamil Nadu during the kuruvai crop season, the final award directs Karnataka to release of 134 tmcft during this period.

The comparative figures of the interim award and final award in tmcft are: June: 10.16 and 10; July: 42.75 and 34; August: 54.72 and 50; September: 29.36 and 40; October: 30.17 and 22; November: 16.05 and 15; December: 10.37 and 8; January: 2.51 and 3; February: 2.17 and 2.5; March: 2.40 and 2.5; April: 2.01 and 2.5 and May: 2.33 and 2.5.

The order said that "the expression `Cauvery River' includes the main stream of the Cauvery river, all its tributaries and all other streams contributing water directly or indirectly to the Cauvery river."

It said: "Any upper riparian State shall not take any action so as to affect the scheduled deliveries of water to the lower riparian States. However, the States concerned can by mutual agreement and in consultation with the Regulatory Authority make any amendment in the pattern of water deliveries. The above declaration shall not in any way alter the rights, if any, under the law for the time being in force, of any private individuals, bodies or authorities."

Further, "nothing in the order of this Tribunal shall impair the right or power or authority to regulate within its boundaries the use of water, or to enjoy the benefit of waters within that State in a manner not inconsistent with the order of this Tribunal."

The order added: "If any riparian State or Union Territory is not able to make use of any portion of its allocated share during any month in a particular water year and requests for its storage in the designated reservoirs, it shall be at liberty to make use of its unutilised share in any other subsequent month during the same water year provided this arrangement is approved by the implementing authority."

It said: "Nothing in this order shall prevent alteration, amendment or modification of all or any of the clauses by agreement between the parties. The State governments of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry shall bear the expenses of the Tribunal in the ratio of 15:40:40:5."

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