An attempt was made on Monday in a meeting of the official-level Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CRM) “to narrow down the differences” between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the sharing of Cauvery waters under the Cauvery Disputes Tribunal Award.
Well- placed sources in the Union Ministry of Water Resources said the details of what transpired in the meeting will be sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who chairs the political-level Cauvery River Authority. Based on the Ministry's report the Prime Minister is expected to take a call on convening a meeting of the Cauvery River Authority.
In a letter written to Dr. Singh earlier this month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had sought a meeting of the CRA stating that her State was going through distress due to inadequate water flows.
She sought central intervention for finalising a distress sharing formula with Karnataka during distress period. On its part, Karnataka argued that it was adhering to the tribunal award.
According to well placed sources, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu officials articulated their stated positions in the Cauvery Monitoring Committee meeting. They raised technical and legal positions on the award and its subsequent clarifications to support their stand.
Since the issues relating to the matter are already pending in the Supreme Court, no immediate decision was taken. Now, both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are looking to the Prime Minister to settle the issue.
