‘Finalise body for Cauvery water sharing’:

‘Finalise body for Cauvery water sharing’:

Context

• The Cauvery river water dispute, primarily between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, dates back to the 19th century.
• Tamil Nadu government is insisting that the Supreme Court should appoint an authority and frame a scheme for sharing and management of Cauvery river waters among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, and not leave the responsibility to the Centre.

What is the argument being made?

• For the past 25 years, Tamil Nadu had a frictional relationship with Karnataka over Cauvery, and had often had to make the journey to the Supreme Court for release of water.
• Court did chide the Centre for not implementing the final award of the Cauvery Tribunal in 2007.

Responsibility of the government questioned

• Supreme Court has questioned the reluctance shown by the Centre to set up of the Cauvery Management Board and frame a scheme for implementation of the tribunal award despite it having been notified in 2013.
• Centre did set up the Cauvery River Water Authority and Supervisory Committee following the Supreme Court’s direction.
• Centre had decided to wait till the Supreme Court took a final call on the tribunal award.
• The tribunal award was not clear about water release during times of distress. There was no clarity in the award in times of surplus.