The Supreme Court has modified its earlier order and asked Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs Cauvery water per day, down from previous 15,000 cusecs, to Tamil Nadu till September 20.

The Cauvery Supervisory Committee, headed by Union Water Resources Secretary Shashi Shekhar, to decide on the quantum of water to be released to Tamil Nadu and other states after September 20.

“The committee will decide on the quantum of water to be released after September 20,” an official said.

“Tell your governments they have to implement the order and maintain law and order,” the court told the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments. “Unless an order is modified, citizens and governments are obliged to comply with it.”

The decision came on a plea by the Karnataka, that said that the state government is facing “huge public pressure” and police prevented attempts to damage public property during recent statewide strikes with great difficulty.

By Premji