Supreme Court approves draft Cauvery Management Scheme

Supreme Court has approved Centre’s draft Cauvery Management Scheme for smooth distribution of water among four southern riparian states/UT viz. Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. It ordered Central Government to notify the scheme before the monsoons.

SC Order

The apex court also modified Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) award of 2007 and made it clear that it will not be extending time for its implementation on any ground. It also raised Karnataka’s share of Cauvery water by 14.75 tmcft saying that issue of drinking water of Southern Karnataka region has to be placed on a higher pedestal. At the same time, it reduced Tamil Nadu’s share, while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10 tmcft groundwater from river basin.

Cauvery Management Scheme

The scheme deals with release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. It will be implemented by Cauvery Management Authority (CMA). CMA will be sole body to implement CWDT award as modified by Supreme Court. The Central Government will have no say in implementing of the scheme except for issuing administrative advisories to it.

Cauvery River

Cauvery River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of Western Ghats in south-western Karnataka. It flows in south-easterly direction through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu before emptying into Bay of Bengal. At its mouth near Bay of Bengal it forms wide delta called garden of southern India. Kaveri’s main tributaries are Kabani (Kabbani), Noyil, Amaravati, Hemavati, Lakshmantirtha and Bhavani rivers. The river is important for its irrigation canal projects in southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018