Quantum of water release as directed by SC ‘not enough’: DMK

Chennai, Sept 6 (PTI) Opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu todaysaid the quantum of water release as directed by Supreme Courtfrom Cauvery River was "not enough" and urged the AIADMKgovernment to spell out its next course of action in thisissue involving neighbouring Karnataka. "The Supreme Court order directing 15,000 cusecs for 10days is certainly not enough for samba crops," DMK President MKarunanidhi said in response to the apex court’s orderyesterday. In its interim order on Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking 50.52tmc feet of Cauvery water from Karnataka to save 40,000 acresof samba crops, the court had asked the upper riparian stateto release 15,000 cusecs daily for the next 10 days to itsneighbour. The court had also directed Tamil Nadu to approach theSupervisory Committee within three days for release of Cauverywater as per Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final order. Various farmers’ bodies in the state have voiced concernover the quantum and demanded that the state government move areview petition in the apex court, seeking additional water,Karunanidhi said. "According to the Supreme Court order, only 13 tmc feetof water will be available for Tamil Nadu. But 200 tmc feet ofwater is required to cover the entire cultivation of 25 lakhacres," he said in a statement. Soon after the court order, Karnataka Chief MinisterSiddaramaiah had announced convening an all-party meetingtoday while the Tamil Nadu government has "not clarified" whatit proposed to do next, he said. "Everybody knows that the 13 tmc feet water as directedby the Supreme Court is not at all enough. What are they(government) going to decide on that? Will they file a reviewpetition as sought by farmers’ bodies or get a strong orderfrom Centre on constituting of the Cauvery Management Boardand the Cauvery Regulatory Committee?," Karunanidhi asked. "Will they get an order for securing at least 50 tmc feetof water from Karnataka or will they lead an all-partydelegation to the Prime Minister to exert pressure" on thematter? he asked. Everybody was "keen" to know the response of the AIADMKgovernment, he added. On the apex court also directing Tamil Nadu to approachthe Supervisory Committee, Karunanidhi said it had "noauthority nor any legal recognition." "This committee has no authority to control any state.This committee itself is a futile effort and we have alreadysaid this," he added. PTI SA APRDV