CAUVERY AWARD ISSUES

Cauvery is an inter‐State basin having its origin Karnataka and flowing through Tamil Nadu and Puduchery before out falling in Bay of Bengal. The sharing of waters of the has been the source of a serious conflict between the two states of Tamil Nadu and . The genesis of this conflict rests in two agreements in 1892 and 1924 between the erstwhile.

In this regard, Government of India on 2nd June, 1990 had constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) to adjudicate the water dispute regarding inter‐state river Cauvery and the river valley thereof among the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.

Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) gave its report and decision u/s 5(2) of the ISRWD Act,1956 on 5th February, 2007. The Central Govt and party States filed application for clarification/further guidance u/s 5 (3) of the above said Act. The Party States also filed Special Leave Petition (SLPs) against the above mentioned report and decision of the Tribunal before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Hon’ble Supreme Court on 07.05.2007 has granted Special Leave in the matter.

A Protem Supervisory Committee is constituted for implementation of the final order dated February 5, 2007 as notified Vide Notification dated February 19, 2013. The Supervisory Committee shall consists of the Secretary, Union Ministry of Water Resources as Chairman and the Chief Secretaries of the respective States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry as Members. So far 8 meetings of this Committee have been held on 1.06.2013, 12.06.2013, 15.7.2013 and 8.11.2013, 28.9.2015, 12.9.2016, 19.9.2016 and 17.2.2017 at New Delhi.

Decision of CWDT has been challenged by party States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala before Hon’ble Supreme Court by filling Civil Appeals. Further, the party States have also sought clarification and explanation on the decision of Tribunal under Section 5(3) of ISRWD Act 1956.

Hon’ble Supreme Court in its order dated 09.12.2016 directed that these Civil Appeals are maintainable and listed the matter for 15.12.2016 which was deferred to 04.01.2017 for further orders. The case was heard by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 04.01.2017 and adjourned to 07.01.2017, however next hearing was listed on 21.3.2017. Hon’ble Supreme Court on 21.3.2017 has directed that the interim order passed on 4th January, 2017, to be continued till the next date of hearing on 11.07.2017. This matter is sub-judice in the Hon’ble Court.

Final order of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal

Report and Decision of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal