DMK Moves SC for Immediate Cauvery Water Release from Karnataka
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The DMK has petitioned the Supreme Court to direct Karnataka to immediately release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, citing non-compliance with the CWMA's recent order. This comes amid renewed tensions between the two states over water sharing during the monsoon season, with protests in Karnataka against the release.
Background
The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing inter-state river dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the Supreme Court delivering a final verdict in 2018. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and its regulation committee oversee the implementation of the tribunal's award and court orders.
Key facts
DMK moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
The plea seeks implementation of CWRC's recommendation, upheld by CWMA on July 30, 2026, to release 3,500 cusecs per day for 15 days at Biligundlu.
DMK also seeks to clear an accumulated shortfall of about 9.46 TMC due at Biligundlu as on July 26, 2026.
The plea requests the court to direct Karnataka to release about 7,000 cusecs per day over 15 days to make good the backlog.
DMK urged the Supreme Court to direct CWMA to monitor reservoir releases and flows at Biligundlu daily and submit compliance reports.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to protesters to withdraw agitation against water release.
Protests by farmer groups and pro-Kannada organisations occurred across the Cauvery basin, arguing reservoirs lack water even for drinking.
Shivakumar noted that the Kabini reservoir was rapidly filling up, but the situation remains tense.
Prelims pointers
- Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) - statutory body
- Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC)
- Biligundlu - inter-state border point
- Supreme Court verdict on Cauvery (2018)
- Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956
- Article 262 of the Constitution
- TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) - unit of water measurement
- Cusec - unit of flow rate
Mains angles
- Discuss the constitutional mechanisms for resolving inter-state river water disputes in India.
- Critically examine the role of statutory bodies like CWMA in implementing judicial orders.
- Analyze the federal tensions arising from water sharing between states and the need for cooperative federalism.
- Evaluate the impact of water disputes on regional politics and farmer livelihoods.