Cauvery Delta: Farmers express happiness over appointment of chairman

A view of the River Cauvery in Tiruchi. Farmers of Cauvery Delta Districts expressed happiness over the news that Justice Chauhan will soon be appointed as the Chairman of Cauvery River Water Disputes by the Central Government.File photo

Farmers of Cauvery Delta Districts expressed happiness over the news that Justice Chauhan will soon be appointed as the Chairman of Cauvery River Water Disputes by the Central Government.

S. Ranganathan, Secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Welfare Association said that after a long gap, Justice Chauhan is going to be appointed as chairman of the Tribunal following the recommendation of the name of Justice Chauhan to head the Tribunal by P.Sathasivam, Chief Justice of India.

The Tribunal has been without a chairman for more than one and a half years ever since N.P. Singh resigned as chairman on health grounds in April 2012. “It is heartening that a new chairman will take over after his retirement on July 1. Though we have to wait for another six months, it is a welcome move” Mr. Ranganathan said.

The new chairman should look into petitions filed by the party states and the centre under Section 5(3) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act seeking an explanation or guidance on the final award of the Tribunal which are pending before the Tribunal, Mr. Ranganathan said.

The Tribunal gave its final award on February 5, 2007. Mr. Ranganathan appreciated the present Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam for his recommendation of the name of Justice Chauhan who is to retire on July one this year.

Mr. Ranganathan also said that Tribunal and Supreme Court should examine whether it is necessary to hear the appeal petitions filed by state parties and centre as farmers were given to understand that Tribunal's award is final and there can not be any appeal.

V. Jeevakumar, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Agriculture Labourers Association said that though delayed and a long gap came in the middle, the decision to appoint chairman for Tribunal should be welcomed. Chairman should give thrust to formation of Cauvery Management Board and Water Regulatory Authority as per the final award. Sundara Vimalanathan of Thanjavur Cauvery Farmers Protection committee said that Cauvery Management Board should be constituted immediately.