Taking cognisance of the water deficit incurred by Tamil Nadu in the previous three months consecutively, the Supreme Court on Friday urged Karnataka to embrace the principle of "live and let live."
The apex court asked the Karnataka government to consider taking steps to release water from the Cauvery river to assist Tamil Nadu so that the state can continue to "exist as an entity."
"Tamil Nadu's situation is 'water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink'. Some steps have to be taken by Karnataka so that the other State (Tamil Nadu) can exist as an entity. The principle of live and let live has to be applied to this dispute," Justice Dipak Misra said as the head of Bench.
The court agreed to hear the case on Monday and said that it will listen to the grievances of the people from both the sides. However, it also observed that Tamil Nadu had suffered water deficit in June, July and August. Justice Misra told Karnataka: "At least live up to the Cauvery Tribunal Award of 2007."
Tamil Nadu had filed an application for the release of at least 50.52 tmc feet of water from the Cauvery river to save around 4,000 acres of samba crops this season. However, Karnataka said that it has a deficit of around 80 tmc feet of water in four of its water reservoirs in the state.
"Two States have to live in harmony. Water disputes leave inhabitants of two States, its agriculture, their lives in dire straits...," Justice Misra added.
However, Justice Misra observed that even though the amount of rainfall cannot be assumed, if there is a formula in the Tribunal award, then Karnataka is bound by that formula.
Tamil Nadu has demanded the Centre for the constitution of a Cauvery Managment Board (CMB) for the release of the river water because of the state's recurring deficit, while Karnataka has expressed its opposition to the plan citing it is suffering deficit too.
