The Supreme Court on Monday asked the State of Tamil Nadu to approach the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) with its grievance over the State not receiving its proportionate share of Cauvery water, while adjourning the matter for further consideration on August 31.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for Tamil Nadu referred the Bench to the June 16, 2018 notification establishing the Water Management Authority, particularly Clause 10 dealing with its powers, functions and duties. Counsel relied on the provision requiring the Authority to assess the actual yield in the basin, utilisation of releases and storage and, based on the assessment, authorise withdrawals by the States for the subsequent period.
Counsel submitted that Tamil Nadu was required to receive its proportionate share of water, but that this was not happening. Referring to an updated chart of water releases, counsel acknowledged that Tamil Nadu had received the quantity directed to be released by the CWMA, but submitted that the larger grievance was that the Authority was not directing releases to make up the proportionate quantity due to the State.
The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, however, noted that according to the chart, the quantity of water directed by the CWMA had already been released to Tamil Nadu. Counsel clarified that while the State had received the water directed by the CWMA, it was still facing a deficit in terms of its proportionate entitlement.
The Bench then asked Tamil Nadu to raise the issue before the CWMA: “Go and talk to CWMA.”
Counsel informed the Court that the CWMA was meeting on the issue and that Tamil Nadu would make a request before the Authority. The hearing also saw submissions regarding the water available in Karnataka’s reservoir, with counsel for Tamil Nadu stating that approximately 78 TMC of water was available there.
Counsel for Karnataka, meanwhile, submitted that there had to be some flexibility in the operational aspects of water release. The Bench did not enter into the merits of the competing claims at this stage and decided to list the matter again after the CWMA’s consideration.
The Bench directed that the matter be listed on August 31, 2026, and asked the senior counsel appearing for the parties to come up with an updated status on the next date.
The proceedings arise from the continuing dispute over implementation of the Cauvery water-sharing arrangement and compliance with directions governing releases between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Read: Cauvery Water Dispute: SC Defers Hearing to August 17 Amid Justice Vikram Nath’s Illness