Karnataka to Seek Halt to Cauvery Water Release to Tamil Nadu

BENGALURU, OCT 12 : Karnataka will appeal to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to halt the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy said on Monday, citing deficient rainfall and pressure on the state's reservoir storage.

Speaking to reporters, the minister said Karnataka had so far complied with the directions issued by the court and the CWRC regarding water releases. However, he said the deteriorating water situation warranted a fresh assessment of the state's obligations.

“How is it possible to release water to Tamil Nadu when we do not have sufficient water storage ourselves?” he asked, indicating that the state government would present its case before the CWRC and seek intervention in view of the prevailing conditions.

Chaluvarayaswamy pointed out that the prescribed water release had already been reduced from 10,000 cusecs to 3,000 cusecs. He said Karnataka would seek a review of the situation, arguing that continued releases without adequately considering water availability could worsen the hardships faced by farmers and threaten drinking water security.

Reiterating Karnataka's longstanding demand for a distress-sharing formula, the minister said available water should be distributed proportionately between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during years of deficient rainfall.

He stressed that a fair and predictable mechanism was necessary to ensure that neither state bore a disproportionate burden during periods of water scarcity in the Cauvery basin.

The Cauvery water dispute remains a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with reservoir storage, rainfall patterns and competing irrigation and drinking water requirements continuing to shape the two states' positions.

On Form-7 Applications

In a separate statement, Chaluvarayaswamy alleged that Form-7 applications were being misused to remove the names of eligible voters from electoral rolls.

Accusing the Centre of using the Election Commission for political gains, he described the alleged deletions as an attack on democratic rights. He said his party would continue to oppose any attempt to disenfranchise eligible voters.