The State government has decided to file a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court seeking clarity in the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II (KWDT II) order of November 29, 2013.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who announced this in the Legislative Assembly here on Tuesday, said that the tribunal, in its ruling, reduced 4 tmcft of water from the total 911 tmcft awarded to the State (both by the KWDT I and KWDT II).
Following the November 2013 order, all the three basin States — Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra — petitioned the tribunal seeking clarifications.
He said that the State had ascertained the views of legal and technical experts and, as a sequel to it, held discussions with the Floor Leaders in the Houses of the legislature and the Water Resources Minister on January 8. Following a decision taken at the meeting, a group of Cabinet Ministers met senior counsel Fali S. Nariman in New Delhi, who, in turn, spoke on the need to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court.
The Water Resources Minister held talks with legal and technical experts in New Delhi on February 7 and again with the legislators of the Krishna basin region on February 14, Mr. Siddaramaiah said. The members came out with various opinions at the meeting. The tribunal had allocated the water to the three States on the basis of 65 per cent availability of water and formulated a “manner of withdrawal” norm to enable the States utilise their shares of water.
Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri of the BJP suggested to the Chief Minister that the subject be discussed in the House. He recalled the opinion of the Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar who demanded a debate in the House on the issue on Monday.
Mr. Siddaramaiah replied that he had made the statement after consulting experts and if a debate was necessary, it could he held.
senior counsel Fali S. Nariman in New Delhi, who, in turn, spoke on the need to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court
