WaterDispute – Tamil Nadu Congress Urges Immediate Cauvery Water Release to Protect Farmers
WaterDispute – Tamil Nadu has renewed its demand for the immediate implementation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s latest directive, stressing that timely water release is essential to safeguard standing crops and maintain cooperation between the neighbouring states.
Congress Leader Calls for Compliance With CWRC Order
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and Virudhunagar Member of Parliament Manickam Tagore has appealed to the Karnataka government to implement the recent order issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) without delay. He said any move to postpone or legally challenge the directive could further strain relations between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at a time when coordinated action is needed.
Criticism Over Karnataka’s Stand
Responding to comments made by Karnataka Water Resources Minister K. Ramalinga Reddy, Tagore expressed concern over the state’s indication that it may challenge the CWRC order. The minister had stated that Karnataka was facing difficulties in releasing water due to limited availability and planned to appeal before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
Tagore described such statements as unhelpful, saying they risk increasing tensions instead of encouraging constructive dialogue between the two states over the long-running river water-sharing issue.
Farmers Face Growing Agricultural Concerns
The Congress leader said inadequate Cauvery water has already affected Kuruvai cultivation in Tamil Nadu, raising fears about the upcoming Samba cropping season. He warned that if water is not released quickly, farmers in the Cauvery delta could face serious challenges in sustaining agricultural activities.
According to Tagore, thousands of farming families depend on timely irrigation, making the implementation of the CWRC order crucial for protecting crops and rural livelihoods.
CWRC Directs Karnataka to Release Water
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee recently instructed Karnataka to release 4 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water to Tamil Nadu. The direction specifies a discharge of 3,500 cusecs per day over a period of 15 days beginning July 29.
However, Karnataka has maintained that prevailing drought conditions and lower reservoir storage levels have affected its capacity to comply immediately. The state has indicated that it is considering approaching the Cauvery Water Management Authority to seek relief from the directive.
Water Allocation Figures Highlight Shortfall
Referring to the latest allocation figures, Tagore said Tamil Nadu had received only 3.543 tmcft of water against the scheduled allocation of 35.391 tmcft as of July 26. Based on these figures, he claimed the state had received just over 10 percent of its expected share.
He also stated that the cumulative deficit during the current water year had reached 9.46 tmcft, adding that the shortage was placing increasing pressure on agricultural planning across the Cauvery basin.
Legal Compliance and Federal Cooperation
Tagore said that respecting the decisions of judicial and statutory authorities remains essential for resolving the Cauvery dispute fairly. He argued that adherence to legally binding directions is necessary to uphold India’s federal framework and ensure equitable sharing of river water among the basin states.
He concluded by urging the Karnataka government to implement the CWRC directive without further delay, emphasizing that the welfare of farmers and the stability of agricultural production in Tamil Nadu depend heavily on the timely release of Cauvery water.