CHENNAI: The Union government on Monday told Parliament that the Supreme Court's 2018 verdict does not mandate Karnataka to obtain the consent of downstream riparian states before constructing any structure across the river.
Replying to an unstarred question raised by PMK Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said, "As per a 2018 Supreme Court judgment on the Cauvery water dispute, there is no mention that Karnataka has to obtain the consent of the other riparian States namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the UT of Puducherry to construct any kind of structure across river Cauvery."
The clarification comes amid Tamil Nadu's continued opposition to the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, with the state maintaining that Karnataka cannot proceed with the project without the concurrence of the lower riparian states and arguing it would adversely affect its share of Cauvery waters.
Choudhary further said the Supreme Court, in its February 16, 2018 order, had found Clause XVIII of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) Award, 2007, appropriate and reiterated: "Nothing in the order of this tribunal shall impair the right or power or authority of any State 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."
Reacting to the Centre's stand, TNCC president B Manickam Tagore termed the Union minister's written reply "highly dangerous" and "completely unacceptable". He alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government had consistently acted against the interests of Tamil Nadu and its farmers and said the reply had once again exposed the BJP's anti-Tamil Nadu and anti-people stance.
Tagore said the Congress would strongly oppose the Centre's position both inside Parliament and among the public to safeguard Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery waters and protect the interests of the state's farmers.