Nomenclature raises questions over powers

If the CWMA functioned with the powers equivalent to a board as contended by the Tamil Nadu government, this will be the first to do so since the existing organisations to share water differed in powers when their nomenclature varied.

The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal had envisaged the Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB) as the model mechanism to resolve the Cauvery dispute. The functions of the BBMB includes administration, operation and maintenance of dams across rivers Satluj, Ravi and Beas flowing through Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. It regulates supply of water from the rivers, besides the supply of power generated from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects. It also performs engineering and related technical and consultancy services in the various fields of hydroelectric power projects and irrigation projects.

Among the models of water sharing mechanisms named as authority, Narmada Control Authority (NCA) had been functioning successfully for the last 38 years and sharing water between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The NCA had been vested with powers to implement the orders of the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal which gave the award in 1979. The NCA had the powers to implement the tribunal order with respect to storage, apportionment of water, regulation and control of Narmada waters, sharing of power benefits from Sardar Sarovar Project and regulating release of water by Madhya Pradesh.

Though, the two states approach the tribunal once in a fixed time seeking more water share for them, there are no problems in release of water once the tribunal gives its judgment.

Ever since the NCA was formed in 1980, Madhya Pradesh which controls and operates the dams had not refused to comply with the orders of the NCA to release water. But, Karnataka has a history of not complying with the directions of the Supreme Court itself on water release.

The question foremost in the minds of people especially farmers in Tamil Nadu is how the Cauvery Water Management Authority will ensure water release if Karnataka, which controls and operates the dams refused to comply with its direction.