The Supreme Court today exhibited sharp criticism at the Centre and has asked it to chalk out a draft by 3 May for the implementation of the judgement as regards the issue of distribution of Cauvery between Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
The top court criticised the Centre for neither framing the scheme in six weeks as directed by it nor reaching out to the court before the deadline of 31 March for conveying that it had certain impediments. The Supreme Court had repetitively told the state of Tamil Nadu that it is in consensus with its grievances and inflicted criticism at the Centre for not taking a quick action so as to frame a scheme.
The Supreme Court said it to the Centre today, “You have to frame the scheme and there is no escaping this task”.
The top court also asked the capable authorities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for maintaining peace in their states till the court approves the scheme for the implementation of its judgement on the water distribution of Cauvery.
The court also said that once the Centre comes in with a draft scheme which includes establishing of Cauvery Water Management Board and Monitoring Authority for ensuring monthly releases-it will consider the standpoints of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, prior to approving the scheme.
The Centre seeks time beyond 12 May to chalk out a scheme, quoting Karnataka Assembly elections the next month as the reason.
The Supreme Court was hearing the plea filed by the Centre seeking clarification on the verdict that was made on 16 February concerning the setting up of Cauvery management scheme in the sharing dispute of the decades-old river water.
The top court, when it made its verdict, had asked the Centre to frame a draft for the scheme to make sure that there is complete compliance with its 465-page judgement on the Cauvery dispute.
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