The Tamil Nadu government is hopeful of getting a favourable verdict from the Supreme Court with regard to the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the State Assembly on Friday.
“The case is with the Supreme Court. We are hoping for a favourable verdict,” Mr. Palaniswami said after detailing the efforts made by the AIADMK government to protect the rights of farmers, in response to the DMK members’ plea to the State government to take steps to constitute the Board.
His statement came during the budget discussion, which saw members of the AIADMK and the DMK trading blame for the non-constitution of Board thus far.
Mr. Palaniswami contended that it was due to the efforts made by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa that the Centre had notified the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in the gazette. He also accused the DMK of not making efforts towards constituting the Board despite being in alliance with the Central government back in 2007.
DMK deputy floor leader Durai Murugan responded, saying, “I know that you have made efforts. But notifying the award in the gazette wouldn’t bring water. You should make efforts for constituting the Cauvery Management Board.” He further claimed that during an all-party meeting, the then Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam, had agreed to take the issue to the Supreme Court.
Mr. Palaniswami, on his part, contended that if the DMK, which was part of the former UPA regime, had taken timely measures then, the award could have materialised into the constitution of the Board. He added that it was thanks to the efforts made by Jayalalithaa that the height of the Mullaperiyar dam was raised from 136 feet to 142 feet.
